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Smilacina (syn. Maianthemum) purpurea

Himalayan False Solomon's Seal

Plant Type:

SHADE PERENNIALS

Smilacina (syn. Maianthemum) purpurea – This is another unusual and uncommonly encountered species from the Himalayas with large pendant flaring dark purple bells clustered on a dense raceme about 2.33 inches in diameter blooming late spring or early summer. The pretty green leaves are broad ellipses. This Himalayan False Solomon's Seal is a very nice colonizer. Pot grown from root cuttings.


Height:

8-16 in

Colors:

Purple

Zone:

(5)6 to 8(9?)
What is my hardiness zone?

Characteristics and Attributes for Smilacina (syn. Maianthemum) purpurea

Season of Interest (Flowering)

  • Spring

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Spring / Summer / Autumn

Autumn Interest

  • Fruit / Berries / Seed Heads

Light

  • Morning Sun / Afternoon Shade
  • Dappled Shade

Attributes

  • Border
  • Rock Garden
  • Ground Cover
  • Woodland

Growth Rate in the Garden

  • Medium

Soil

  • Organic
  • Woodland
  • Humus Laden

Origins

  • Himalayas

Propagated By

  • Cutting Grown

Genus Overview: Smilacina

Common Name: False Solomon's Seal

These have now been determined by taxonomists to be grouped in with the Maianthemum. In any case if you haven’t figured it out by now I have a “thing” for the Disporums, Polygonatums and the Smilacinas (or Maianthemums – whatever…) Oh, don’t let me leave out the Uvularias. These are of easy disposition and so elegant in the garden – quite wonderful contrast to shorter, softer-looking woodland denizes. The flowers are charming and sometimes even modestly glorious. The foliage on the arching stalks is arranged architecturally. Sometimes quite beautiful fruits decorate the plants enhancing the late season woodland garden. Some even develop yellowish fall colors before the hard frosts do them in.

Smilacina flowers at the stem tips, generally in a dense inflorescence, which is followed by a quite alluring show of clustered berries. All of the following prefer humus-laden woodland soil. All of the following are established pot grown plants from root cuttings.