Buy Asarum europaeum

Also Known As

Asarum europeanum
Hexastylis europaeum
European Wild Ginger

Plant type

perennial, groundcover

size

H: 6"-9"
W: 24"-120"

planting zones

4a-9b

3.5" | $20

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Fewer than 1 at Secret Garden Growers

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Asarum europaeum plant details

Asarum europaeum is a broadleaf evergreen perennial groundcover with green foliage. In spring bronze, chocolate and purple flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Grows well with bright shade - shade and even moisture - occasional water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, average, clay, gritty, rich and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Asarum europaeum

Plant type: perennial groundcover
Plant family: aristolochiaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 24 IN - 120 IN - wide, 6 IN - 9 IN - tall
Flowers: bronze, chocolate and purple blooms in spring
Uses: heart-shaped leaves, woodland garden, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Asarum europaeum

USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
Sun exposure: bright shade - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - occasional
Resistant to: deer
Soil needs: acidic, average, clay, gritty, rich and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Asarum europaeum, the European wild ginger or asarabacca, is widely distributed in the woodlands of Europe. Similar to our native species, Asarum caudatum, it has attractive, even glossier, kidney-shaped to round foliage but with shaggy hairs on the creeping rhizomes and leaf stalks. Evergreen in mild climates. Combines well with lacy ferns and bleeding hearts. Intriguing brownish-red flowers appear beneath the foliage in late spring to early summer so make sure to watch for them. Leaves and roots are aromatic when rubbed or crushed with a ginger-like smell. Slow to establish but makes a stellar ground cover given time and a little patience. Plant along pathways, at the base of trees, and in woodland gardens.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Understated elegance in this lovely evergreen perennial ground cover…kidney shaped leaves are deep green, glossy and quite formal looking on stems 6-9" tall, slowly rhizomatous (not invasive). Strange bronzed purple-brown flowers in May (weird and close to the ground so rarely seen). Gorgeous in the woodland garden, prefers moist soils rich in organic matter…part to full shade.

By: Secret Garden Growers

Zn 5. Glossy, dark green kidney shaped leaves.

By: Little Prince of Oregon

Probably better known as Asarum europaeum, and probably the easiest of all the "Evergreen Gingers" to grow. Its glossy evergreen foliage bears adorable little cup like flowers in the early Spring. Makes a good-sized clump quickly and will self seed itself into an attractive colony in just a few years.

By: Sunshine Farm and Gardens

Evergreen to semi-evergreen groundcover with heart-shaped glossy green leaves grows 4" tall and slowly spreads to 15" wide. Itappreciates the moist humus-rich layer that accumulates beneath trees. Small, leathery, chartreuse flowers go unnoticed beneath dense foliage but deserve a peek. Minimum temperature: -30°F

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

European Ginger is an attractive slow growing evergreen groundcover for shady situations. This Asarum forms drifting colonies of round glossy dark green foliage 6" high that provide a nice contrast for Ferns, Hosta and Epimedium. Small brown flowers are formed in late spring but are hidden below the foliage.