BBC Gardeners' World

Plant details

• Common Name: Common Solomon's seal
• Genus: Polygonatum
• Species: x hybridum
• Skill Level: beginner
• Exposure: partial shade, shade
• Hardiness: hardy
• Soil type: clay/heavy, moist, well-drained/light
• Height: 1.25m
• Spread: 0.3m
• Time to divide plants: March to April

Solomon's seal is an old cottage garden plant that appears early in spring, producing graceful, arching stems with precisely paired, oval leaves along their length. These are quickly joined by dangling, green-tipped, white bells that persist throughout late spring and early summer. Plants enjoy woodland conditions, and associate well in a cool, shady, humus-rich border with spring flowers such as corydalis and dicentra. Stems and foliage remain eye-catching even after the flowers are over. Solomon's seal also looks superb with hardy ferns to create a combination that lasts all summer. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit.