Polygonatum stenanthum 'Silver Mist'

Solomon’s Seal Asparagaceae

A Solomon’s seal that seems to emerge trailing a little silver cloud! ‘Silver Mist’ is a particularly attractive selection of Polygonatum stenanthum, named for the natural silver-white variegation displayed by the newly emerging growth. The effect is especially striking as the shoots unfurl in spring, gradually changing as the foliage matures. The species forms tall, arching stems carrying broad leaves and pendent green-and-white, bell-shaped flowers, followed by dark berries. It is a substantial and handsome woodland plant. 

Our plant was raised from seed collected by Paul Barney in Guizhou, China, in 2011. The distinctive natural variegation of the new growth was retained in cultivation and the plant subsequently named ‘Silver Mist’. It is therefore a selected wild-derived plant, rather than a conventional bred variegated cultivar.

Although Kew currently treats Polygonatum stenanthum as a synonym of P. falcatum var. falcatum, the name P. stenanthum remains useful horticulturally.  In cultivation, our observations indicate that plants referred to P. stenanthum generally flower later than P. falcatum, providing a useful practical distinction despite the current taxonomic treatment.

Best grown in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil in partial shade, where the emerging silver-marked shoots can be appreciated against darker woodland foliage.

• Height: 1.5–2m
• Spread: 1–1.5m
• Flowering: June–July, generally later than P. falcatum
• Hardiness: H6 (-20 to -15°C)
• Position: Partial shade
• Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well drained
• Collection: Paul Barney, 2011
• Provenance: Guizhou, China
• Introduction: Raised from seed collected by Paul Barney in 2011
• Selection: Named for the natural silver variegation of the new growth
• Nomenclature: Polygonatum stenanthum ‘Silver Mist’
• Synonym: Polygonatum falcatum var. falcatum (taxonomic treatment)