Asarum caudatum

Asarum caudatum is a western North American wild ginger that includes BC within its native range. It has attractive, somewhat glossy, kidney-shaped foliage which combines well with lacy ferns and bleeding hearts. Intriguing brownish-red flowers appear beneath the foliage so make sure to watch for them. Loose, rich soil allows its rhizomes to form wide, evergreen to semi-evergreen patches that can endure some summer drought once established. Leaves and roots are aromatic when rubbed or crushed with a ginger-like smell. Resistant to deer, rabbits, snails and slugs. Pollinated by beetles, flies, and gnats. Possibly hardy to zone 6.

West coast native to moist, shaded woods in conifer litter…pretty, rounded evergreen leaves on short stems, 3-4” tall create a thick green carpet that spreads about a foot a year. Spidery purplish flowers peek out from under foliage in spring, easy. Takes some summer dry when established.

This evergreen groundcover has beautiful 3" heart-shaped leaves. Purplish-brown, bat-like flowers peek out from beneath the leaf canopy. Native plant of the Pacific Northwest. Thrives in moist, acidic soil rich in organic matter. An excellent groundcover for coastal areas or woodland gardens.

This is the West Coast counterpart to the above and is somewhat similar in form and stature. I must take the time to closely compare the two.

Our selection from the California Redwoods of a large-leafed and vigorous clone of Wild Ginger. This sports large glossy green leaves which mask the sizeable brown starfish flowers hidden underneath. We always like surprises. A dense big groundcover in shaded rich moist soil.

We love wild ginger! This evergreen spreading herbaceous perennial grows to 10" tall and is an ideal native choice to replace ivy. The heart shaped foliage creates a low maintenance ground cover for dry shade areas with a lovely spicy aroma. Striking small flowers under leaves appear spring to summer. Wild ginger is not actually a ginger. The root can be used like common ginger to flavor foods although use caution as other related species are reported to be toxic. This plant is an ideal companion for island alum root, ferns, and redwoods. Blooms April - July. Western N. America - British Columbia to California Wild ginger is a common understory species and is used to identify different forest habitat types. Various California Indian tribes used the warmed fresh leaves as a poultice to bring boils to a head. Similarly, a poultice could be used to relieve toothaches. Found in shaded moist forests; low to middle elevations. Communitites located in Redwood Forest, Douglas-Fir Forest, Yellow Pine Forest. Between 0 and 7218 feet.

One of our best native groundcovers for the dry woodland with 4-6" leaves on spreading plants to 1' tall or so forming clumps to 6' wide. Spring flowers are maroon, hidden under the leaves but interesting enough to bend and stoop for. Happy in light or deep shade and tolerant of summer drought but accepting of summer water as well. Frost hardy in USDA zone 7.

Blooms: spring-summer, red-brown/ evergreen green heart shaped foliage Zone 4-9. 6", PNW part shade-shade, moist, well drained

Spreads by running, rooting stems, forms mats of large heart-shaped leaves on 7" stems. Strange looking purplish-brown flowers with 2" tails.

Heart-shaped evergreen leaves hide curious, reddish, 3 pointed spidery flowers. Ground cover to 6 inches tall for areas of dry shade. Our native_one of the prettiest gingers. (Not culinary.)