WHORLED SOLOMON'S SEAL Polygonatum verticillatum

Arching long stems produce dangling creamy-white flowers in spring and early summer. Plants grow to 4 feet high, and slowly form impressive mounds of arching, whorled foliage. A beautiful woodland perennial that is quite at home in the perennial garden. Plants are tolerant of dry soil, acidic soil (under pine trees, where ours grow) and partially sunny locations.

Name: Solomon's Seal, Polygonatum verticillatum

Height: 4'

Type: Hardy perennial

Hardiness Zones: 4-8

Location: Shade or part sun

Bloom time: Spring. Main attraction is large shiny foliage

Seeds per pack: 3

Germination: As with many perennials, these seeds can benefit from a period of moist cold to help them grow. This is done by giving them a cold 'winter' period (artificial or natural), and then a warming to simulate 'spring', and time to grow! Here's how this can be done:

Obtain a planting container that has holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Place the seeds just under the surface of your growing medium, and water. Place your container in a cold area (but not freezing, perhaps a refrigerator) for 5-6 weeks. Once the cold period is completed, place the container at room temperature for them to germinate. Be sure to keep the soil moist during this entire germination period. Seedlings will sprout a few weeks, or occasionally several months, after the warming period.

Alternatively, these seeds can also be planted outdoors in fall, winter, or early spring, while temperatures are still cold (but ground is workable) to germinate naturally in spring. Be sure to mark the area where you planted them, and that the soil is consistently moist.