Polygonatum odoratum 'Pruhonice'

 Solomon’s Seal  Asparagaceae

A Solomon’s seal with rather more floral ambition than most! ‘Pruhonice’ is a particularly large and floriferous form, producing arching, reddish-flushed stems clothed with broad, glossy foliage and carrying masses of pendent white, green-tipped flowers from the leaf axils. The flowers are followed by attractive blue-grey, waxy berries. A handsome and dependable woodland plant, particularly effective when allowed to spread naturally beneath deciduous trees. 

The cultivar was selected by the celebrated German plantsman Ernst Pagels from material growing at Průhonice, near Prague in the Czech Republic, and was subsequently named for the locality. It is therefore properly regarded as a cultivated selection of Polygonatum odoratum, although it has also circulated under Polygonatum falcatum ‘Pruhonitz’ and P. odoratum var. thunbergii ‘Pruhonice’. The latter combinations reflect historical taxonomic treatments rather than a need for a separate botanical name. 

An excellent choice for dappled shade, where the reddish stems and abundant flowers are particularly attractive. It is fully hardy and tolerant of ordinary garden soils provided they do not become excessively dry.

• Height: 50–60cm
• Spread: 50cm
• Flowering: April–June
• Hardiness: H6 (-20 to -15°C)
• Position: Dappled shade to partial shade
• Soil: Moist, fertile, humus-rich, well drained
• Origin: Průhonice, Czech Republic
• Selected by: Ernst Pagels
• Introduction: Introduced into horticulture as a Pagels selection from Průhonice
• Nomenclature: Polygonatum odoratum ‘Pruhonice’; also encountered as P. falcatum ‘Pruhonitz’ and P. odoratum var. thunbergii ‘Pruhonice’