Polygonatum odoratum 'Ussuriland '

 Solomon’s Seal  Asparagaceae

A Solomon’s seal with a distinctly Far Eastern provenance, and a rather attractive purple flush to its stems! Polygonatum odoratum ‘Ussuriland’ is a wild-collected form with upright to arching, often purple-flushed stems carrying fresh green, lanceolate foliage. The pendent, creamy-white, bell-shaped flowers appear from the leaf axils in late spring, followed by dark berries. It makes a robust and attractive woodland perennial, gradually forming substantial colonies with age.

The collection was made in 1996 by Scottish plantsman Michael Wickenden of Cally Gardens, in the Ussuri region of the Russian Far East, from which the cultivated name is derived. The plant was subsequently introduced into European horticulture from this wild provenance. It should be distinguished from ‘Ussuriland Roundleaf’, a separate selection noted particularly for its rounded, grey-green foliage.

Best grown in moist, humus-rich soil in light to partial shade, although established plants are reasonably adaptable. An excellent choice for a naturalistic woodland planting.

• Height: 60–80cm
• Spread: 40–60cm
• Flowering: May–June
• Hardiness: H6 (-20 to -15°C)
• Position: Light shade to partial shade
• Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well drained
• Collection: Michael Wickenden, 1996
• Provenance: Ussuri region, Russian Far East
• Introduction: Introduced into cultivation from the 1996 wild collection
• Nomenclature: Polygonatum odoratum ‘Ussuriland’