Position

Sun exposure:
Dappled shade, full shade, partial shade
Aspect:
East facing, north facing
Position in border:
Front

Soil

Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Asarum europaeum is a strange, yet interesting creeping perennial, perfect for growing as groundcover in shady spots in rock or woodland gardens. It has dark green, kidney-shaped leaves among which solitary, purple-brown, drooping, bell-shaped flowers appear in summer. The plant was once grown for its purgative and emetic properties and also used as an ingredient in snuff. Its roots have a sweet fragrance, which gave it its common name of hardy ginger.

Grow Asarum europaeum in moist, humus-rich soil in cool or partial shade.

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Plantyesyesyesyesyes
Flowersyesyesyesyes

Asarum and wildlife

Asarum has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.

Is Asarum poisonous?

Asarum has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Cats
Cats
Is not known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is not known to attract Horses
Horses
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
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