Asarum caudatum
Western wild ginger, British Columbia wild ginger
- Height × spread
- 0.3m × 0.5m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This beautiful groundcover plant has notable leaves. They are shiny and round, often ending in a slight point. The reddish brown rounded flowers, each having three long tails, are hidden beneath the foliage and have an unpleasant smell. The plant which grows wild in the pine forests of the west coast of USA has aromatic roots. It prefers a shady site in moist, organic, acidic soil. Standing around 30cm (1ft) high with spreading growth habit, this plant can sometimes fail unaccountably. But, it is well worth trying for the beauty of the foliage.
- Flower colour
- Brown, Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.3m
- Spread
- 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Scented garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, likes light shade, tolerates dense shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Dry and shady soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- Yes, plant with caution; Humans: CAUTION toxic if eaten
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with sequestrol
If plants are acid loving and grown in soil with little acidity, or in a container, or are watered with limey tap water an annual feed with sequestrol (iron chelate) is highly beneficial. Follow guidelines on the packet. Will also 'blue-up' hydrangeas.
For hydrangeas that have good blue flowers in acid soil, this product can be used with alkaline soil to turn the flowers blue. This is most effective when the soil is neutral or just slightkly alkaline.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.