Photo of Polygonatum odoratum 'Byakko' foliage by Karl Gercens III

Photo by Karl Gercens III

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Polygonatum odoratum 'Byakko'

Also Known As

  • Byakko Variegated Solomon's Seal
  • White Tiger Solomon's Seal

Plant type

perennial, bulb / corm / tuber

size

  • H: 12"-16"
  • W: 18"-24"

planting zones

  • 4a-9b

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Polygonatum odoratum 'Byakko' plant details

Polygonatum odoratum 'Byakko' is a broadleaf deciduous perennial bulb / corm / tuber with green, variegated and white foliage. In spring cream flowers emerge. Grows well with bright shade - shade and even moisture water. Does well in average and rich soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Polygonatum odoratum 'Byakko'

Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber
Plant family: asparagaceae, liliaceae
Foliage: deciduous green, variegated and white
Mature size: 18 IN - 24 IN - wide, 12 IN - 16 IN - tall
Flowers: cream blooms in spring
Uses: cut leaves, showy, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Polygonatum odoratum 'Byakko'

USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
Sun exposure: bright shade - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average and rich

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

White Tiger. Choice form of Solomon's Seal with a green foliage that develops a white splash in the center. Reddish tinted stems.
Exceedingly unique is this Japanese selection, the name translating to "White Tiger". The leaves open up green, nothing unusual, but then the half of the leaf closer to the red stems turn white within the following weeks. For best coloring 'Byakko' needs to be grown outside in light to half shade and it may take a couple of years for variegation to show. As the story goes according to Barry Yinger, from whom we acquired this rarity, 'Byakko' used to be a popular cut flower in Japan back in the days but became almost extinct. Note: May be shipped as bare root divisions or potted but not rooted in, as Polygonatum roots late in the season.
The leaves of this stunning variegated Solomon's seal are white on the lower half and green on the tips. The colour is best in light shade with some morning sun and is expressed only on older, established plants. The name means "white tiger." This plant was once fairly common in Japan where fields of it were grown for the cut flower trade. The flowers are sweetly fragrant.

Gardening facts about Polygonatum odoratum 'Byakko' plant

How to Grow Polygonatum odoratum 'Byakko'

  • Sun Exposure

    • bright shade - shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • rich
  • Special Situation

    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • variegated
    • white
    • green
  • Flower Color

    • cream
  • Flower Season

    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous

See other plant types of Polygonatum for your garden

aka Polygonatum diff. 'Variegata', Polygonatum falcatum 'Variegatum', Polygonatum japonicum 'Variegatum', Polygonatum multiflorum 'Variegatum', Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum', Solomon's Seal, Striped Solomon's Seal, Variegated Solomon's Seal

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

4a-9b

Size

Height: 16"-30"

Width: 12"-36"

  • mostly sun - shade
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum 'Variegatum' foliage by Keeping it Green Nursery
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aka Polygonatum commutatum, Solomon's Seal, Tall Solomon's Seal

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

3a-9b

Size

Height: 1'-3'

Width: 1'-3'

  • mostly sun - shade
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Polygonatum biflorum flower, foliage by Avant Gardens
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aka Dwarf Bellwort, Dwarf Japanese Solomon's Seal, Dwarf Solomon's Seal

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

5a-9b

Size

Height: 6"-12"

Width: 12"-60"

  • bright shade - shade
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Polygonatum humile flower by Avant Gardens
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aka Polygonatum hybridum striatum, Polygonatum x 'Grace Baker', Polygonatum x hybridum 'Grace Barker', Grace Baker Solomon's Seal, Grace Barker Solomon's Seal, Hybrid Solomon's Seal, Solomon's Seal

Plant Type

Perennial, Groundcover

Zones

4a-9b

Size

Height: 1'-3'

Width: 10"-3'

  • mostly sun - shade
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Polygonatum x hybridum 'Striatum' foliage by Hoot Owl Hollow Nursery
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aka Polygonatum odoratum 'Jinguji Form', Jinguji Form Solomons Seal, Jinguji Red Stem Solomon's Seal

Plant Type

Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

Zones

4a-9b

Size

Height: 18"-24"

Width: 24"-36"

  • mostly sun - shade
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum 'Jinguji' flower by Cistus Nursery
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More Options

+81 more Polygonatum
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