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Asarum
Wild
Ginger
The
wild gingers are low growing woodland plants with large showy leaves
that spread by underground rhizomes. Most species are evergreen
although even these can lose leaves in extreme winter cold. Their
unusual Dutchman's Pipe flowers are often at soil level and can be hidden from
view by the large leaves. They are most commonly found in the moist, humus rich soils
of sloping woodland habitats in North America, Asia and Europe.
In
cultivation, wild gingers thrive in woodland gardens in light shade. They are generally slow to moderate growers but can reward
the patient gardener with a lovely clump. All types can also
be grown successfully in containers where their foliage can be appreciated
and their unique flowers more easily viewed. Slugs can be a problem
in some gardens but we have been able to control them successfully with
the non-toxic iron phosphate formulation found in products such as Sluggo.
The common
name wild ginger refers to the fact that the stems and roots of many
species have a spicy odor similar to that of culinary ginger.
Culinary ginger is not, however, an Asarum. Culinary ginger is
in the Zingiberaceae or true ginger family while wild gingers are members
of the Aristolochiaceae or pipe vine family. Various species of
Asarum are used medicinally.
Asarum
asperum (syn. Heterotropa aspera)
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wild ginger has glossy, oval, evergreen leaves with a pale stripe
down the center. It has purple, urn-shaped flowers in spring.
Grow in part to full shade in moist, humus rich, well-drained
soil. Native to Central Japan and often found in Kyoto temple
gardens. It is hardy to 0 degrees F. Aristolochiaceae
It
is also known as Heterotropa aspera.
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Asarum canadense
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This is the native wild ginger found in woodlands in the eastern US and Canada. It is a creeping groundcover with satiny, mid-green heart-shaped leaves and purple-brown flowers in spring. Deciduous. 6” x 10” Grow in part to full shade in humus rich soil. Hardy to -30 degrees F Aristolochiaceae
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Asarum
caudatum
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This evergreen
groundcover, also known as long-tailed wild ginger, has beautiful
heart-shaped leaves. The flowers peek out from beneath the
leaf canopy. Our plants originated from western Oregon
and the flowers on individual plants vary in color from purple to
a less common greenish white color that we call "Album".
Best grown
in a shady location, in humous rich, well-drained soil with low
fertilizer. Commonly found in moist forest settings, it is
also tolerant of low water situations once it is established.
Foliage and root has a spicy smell similar to culinary ginger
when crushed. Hardy to -20 degrees F. Aristolochiaceae
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Asarum
delavayi
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This truly striking wild ginger has large,
glossy green, arrow shaped leaves often 6" long or more on 6-8”
stems. Purple and yellow speckled flowers up to 2” wide bloom
in spring. Grow in part to full shade in moist, humus rich,
well drained soil. Found in shady areas in mountains of SW Sichuan
and NE Yunnan. Hardy to 10 degrees F. Aristolochiaceae
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Asarum
delavayi 'Sichuan Splendor'
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Glossy green, arrow-shaped leaves on long dark
stems and dark purple and cream, speckled cup-shaped flowers in early spring
Part to full shade, moist, humus rich, well-drained soil. The
species is found in the mountains of SW Sichuan and NE Yunnan, China
Hardy to 10 degrees F. Aristolochiaceae
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Asarum
epigynum 'Silver Web'
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This wild ginger has small, narrow, arrow-shaped
leaves with thick silver along veins. It produces a disc shaped purple
and red flower in early spring. Prefers part to full shade, moist,
humus rich, well-drained soil. It grows in the forests and valleys
of Hainan and Taiwan Hardy to 30 degrees F and can be successfully
overwintered indoors or in a cool greenhouse. Aristolochiaceae
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Asarum europaeum
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Creeping evergreen groundcover with glossy, dark green leaves and small greenish flowers in spring. 3” x 12” Part to full shade, humus rich soil. Western European woodlands. Hardy to -30 degrees F Aristolochiaceae
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Asarum
hirsutasepalum
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This evergreen Japanese wild ginger has
glossy green, heart-shaped leaves that are sometimes described as
rubbery to the touch. It has interesting yellow and purple flowers
in spring. Grow in part to full shade in moist, humus rich, well-drained
soil. Yakushima, Japan Hardy to 10 degrees F. Aristolochiaceae
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Asarum
magnificum 'Variegated'
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This
"magnificent" wild ginger has dark green, nearly
triangular, evergreen leaves with pale green markings and
urn-shaped, purple and white flower in late spring. Grow in
part to full shade in moist, humus rich, well-drained soil.
The species is native to low elevations forests and mountain
slopes in Guangdon and Hunan, China Hardy to 10 degrees
F. Aristolochiaceae |
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Asarum
maximum 'Green Panda'
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This striking wild ginger has evergreen oval to arrow shaped
leaves to 6” long with eye-catching 2” wide black and white panda
flowers in spring. Grow in part to full shade in moist, humus rich,
well-drained soil. Species is native to the low elevation forests
of Hubei and Sichuan, China Hardy to 10 degrees F. Aristolochiaceae
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Asarum
maximum 'Ling Ling'
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Wow, take a look at this wild ginger. It has dark green evergreen
leaves with light green patterns on the sides of central green strip
and amazing 2” wide black and white panda flowers in spring. Grow
in part to full shade in moist, humus rich, well-drained soil. The
species is native to the low elevation forests of Hubei and Sichuan,
China Hardy to 10 degrees F. Aristolochiaceae
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Asarum
splendens
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One of the most familiar and deservedly popular of the Asian Wild
Gingers, Asarum splendens is vigorous and easy to grow.
It has large, green, broadly arrow shaped leaves with irregular
silver marbling. Speckled cup-shaped flowers are produced in late
spring. Grow in part to full shade in moist, humus rich, well-drained
soil. Found in thickets, grasslands and on moist slopes in the
mountains of China. Hardy to 0 degrees F. Aristolochiaceae
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Wild Ginger Farm
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©Asarum maximum 'Ling Ling'
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