Asarum canadense

Also Known As

Asarum canadensis
Canadian Snakeroot
Canadian Wild Ginger

Plant type

perennial, groundcover

size

H: 4"-8"
W: 12"-60"

planting zones

2a-9a

More Options

Asarum canadense plant details

Asarum canadense is a broadleaf semi-evergreen perennial groundcover with green foliage. In spring and winter burgundy flowers emerge. Grows well with mostly sun - shade and even moisture - regular water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, average, clay, gritty, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something for erosion control, heat tolerant and humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Asarum canadense

Plant type: perennial groundcover
Plant family: aristolochiaceae
Foliage: semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 12 IN - 60 IN - wide, 4 IN - 8 IN - tall
Flowers: burgundy blooms in spring and winter
Uses: fragrant, heart-shaped leaves, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Asarum canadense

USDA Zones: 2a - 9a
Sun exposure: mostly sun - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, erosion, heat and humidity
Soil needs: acidic, average, clay, gritty, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Asarum canadense is the Canadian wild ginger with 2-4 inch wide, heart-shaped leaves held on soft, hairy leaf stalks. Bell-shaped, brownish-purple flowers emerge on short stems in spring usually concealed amongst the foliage. It will grow 4-8 inches high and 12-24 inches or more wide. Very low maintenance. Enjoys moist and well-drained soil. Naturalizes by creeping rhizomes. Use as a ground cover and edging in shady areas in the woodland and prairie garden and as an underplanting of shrubs.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Zn 4. Dark green heart shaped leaves.Purple flower

By: Little Prince of Oregon

The East Coast native herbaceous wild ginger has long been a favorite of many a shade garden. I've had foliage as big as your head when grown in rich moist soil with lots of organic matter. Curious flowers produce lots of seeds to soon make an impenetrable mat of snaking rhizomes that will exclude even the most pernicious weeds. The roots can be used as a substitute for the culinary ginger in cooking.

By: Sunshine Farm and Gardens

Slow-growing but worth the wait! Easily grown in average, medium to wet, well-drained soil, in part shade to full shade. Prefers constantly moist, acidic soils in heavy shade. Spreads slowly by rhizomes to form an attractive ground cover for shady areas. Blooms in April-May with small purplish-brown flowers, hence the name "Little Brown Jugs".

By: Deer Country Gardens

Sturdy rootstocks and soft green leaves creep to cover woodland slopes, rocky soils, and any shady area. Once established, Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) fends off Garlic Mustard, Buckthorn, and other invasives. Wild Ginger keeps its foliage throughout the season and does not go dormant, so it is a good species to plant among the spring ephemerals that do go dormant. Unpalatable to deer and other mammals, it is an important food source for the Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly. Plant one foot apart to form a solid cover in two to three years. Hardy to Zones 3 - 8.

By: Prairie Nursery

Excellent carpeting plants for woodland gardens. Flowers are tubby maroon jugs concealed beneath the heart shaped deciduous leaves that rise 6" on silky petioles. Our native wild ginger is reputed to be an alternate food plant for the beautiful Pipevine Swallowtail ZONE 4