James H. Schutte
Family
Aristolochiaceae
Botanical Name
Asarum canadense
Plant Common Name
Canadian Wild Ginger
General Description
By far one of the best native herbaceous groundcovers for shade, Canadian wild ginger creates a lush, thick mat of heart-shaped leaves that shine from spring to fall. This very hardy woodland wildflower exists in fertile hardwood forests across the whole of eastern North America. As its common name suggests, its long, somewhat fleshy roots have a pungent, ginger-like taste and were valued for food and medicine by both Native Americans and early colonists. In some parts of eastern Canada they still make medicinal tea from the dried, powdered Asarum root.
This is an herbaceous perennial, which means its leaves are not evergreen but die back in winter only to reappear anew in spring. The deep green, rounded, heart-shaped leaves have hairy leaf stems and form dense foliar mats. These spread quickly, but not too aggressively, via fleshy rhizomes. Hairy, three-petaled, bell-shaped flowers of brownish-purple appear along the soil line in spring. These cannot be seen from above but have a foetid fragrance that attracts ground-dwelling beetles, which pollinate the blooms. Bulbous, inedible fruits follow.
Canadian wild ginger performs best in partial to full shade and fertile, evenly moist soil with a neutral to slightly acid pH. Plant this perennial with the expectation that it will spread. It is ideal for shaded woodland gardens, path edges or any shady border in need of lush, attractive foliar cover. This is the larval host plant of the Pipeline swallowtail butterfly, so it’s also ideal for butterfly gardens.
Roots can be harvested any time of year for consumption but are freshest in spring. The foliage irritates the skin of some people, so use gloves when harvesting or dividing this plant.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
3 - 8
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Sunset Zone
4, 5, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade
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Height
4"-6" / 10.2cm - 15.2cm
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Width
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
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Bloom Time
Spring
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Native To
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States, Canada
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Mat-forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
Purple, Burgundy, Brown
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Fruit Color
Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Dark Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Edging, Groundcover, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Wildflower
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
Yes
