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Herbaceous Perennial

Maianthemum tatsienense

Chinese false Solomon's Seal

An herbaceous perennial with a creeping, rhizomatous rootstock and hairless, arching stems to around 70cm bearing oval, pleated leaves. Open sprays of small,yellowish-green, star-shaped flowers inlate spring and early summerare followed by fleshy, orange fruit

Synonyms

Smilacina tatsiensis
Smilacina paniculata (Baker) F.T. Wang & T. Tang

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

North–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Maianthemum are rhizomatous perennials with erect or arching stems bearing alternate leaves and small star-shaped flowers in terminal racemes or panicles, followed by red berries
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Himalaya, W China

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, lime-free, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. Shelter from cold winds

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in autumn, or by division of rhizomes in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds
Ground cover
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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