Giant Solomon’s seal produces lovely arching stems, from which the little flowers dangle in the spring. Their tolerance of shade makes them a welcome plant under the trees.
This perennial is listed as either Polygonatum commutatum, Polygonatum giganteum or P. biflorum var. commutatum. I’m not sure which is the most up to date scientific name, but my favourite is ‘giganteum’. It conjures up images of these little flowers dangling at eye height. So far mine are only 45 cm (1 and ½ feet) tall, so I had to squat to take these pictures. Perhaps next year I’ll be standing on tip toe to take them, or perhaps I’m just too easily swayed by a picturesque name. They will have to do some more growing to catch up to the Matteuccia struthiopteris (ostrich fern) behind them. However, they have not trouble rising above the lily of the valley. They are supposed to grow over 1.2 m (4 feet). If I straighten the arch they might be 60 cm (2 feet) tall, but that’s cheating, like standing on your tiptoes when you’re getting your height measured. We’ll see if the shade and competition with the willow allow them to reach their full height in a few years.
The flowers on these giant Solomon’s seal are hanging down in pairs on half of the plants, two little cream and green blooms, side by side, strung out along the stem.
However, this seems to be a capricious perennial, since some of these Polygonatum have single flowers dangling below the stem, instead of pairs. The nomenclature seems to have confused these plants. (Am I a biflorum or not? Are you now or have you ever been a commutatum?)
The leaves of giant Solomon’s seal are similar in shape, colour and veining to the lily of the valley, but they are arranged alternately along the curved stem. Each flower comes out from the stem, just a little above each leaf axle. This causes the flowers to be very evenly spaced along the stem.
As they mature, the little flowers flare out on the bottom, with little green petal tips. The arrangement of the flowers, suspended underneath, and the tight buds flaring out reminds me of the Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’ (white bleeding heart) that are just starting to bloom now.
The distinctive arched shape of the Solomon’s seal stems make a nice contrast to other plant forms. It makes a counterpoint to the outward curve of the ostrich fern.
Last fall I was planting these perennials past dark, by the light of the motion security light. I was behind the willow, when the light went out. I had one Polygonatum left, and it fell to the ground, losing its stem. In the dark I couldn’t tell which way was up, and made my best guess. It seems to have worked, as they are all up now, and all have multiple stems, a very accommodating plant. The recommended spacing was 1 m (3 feet) apart, and I can see now that they will be filling in the area, even though I didn’t give each little stem its own 1 metre (1 yard) radius of garden at planting time. The willow tends to diminish the height and width of plants growing underneath it.
Polygonatum giganteum are great plants for the shade garden. The arching branches, with little charms suspended underneath are very appealing. The curving stem arrangements look graceful over shorter plants. I like them next to ferns, so I will be planting more of these attractive perennials.
I’m always looking for tall shade plants. Now if only they would take their ‘Giganteum’ name a little more seriously. Do you have any favourite tall shade plants?