Solomon's Plume
Maianthemum racemosum
Also listed as Convallaria racemosa, Polygonastrum racemosum
Also known as False Solomon's Seal, Feathery False Solomon's Seal, False Spikenard
Climate Match for your location
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A woodland perennial with arching stems bearing small white flowers in plume-like racemes, followed by attractive red berries that ripen to dark purple. It's an excellent choice for shade gardens and naturalizing in forest settings.
Why grow it
Solomon's plume fills a niche in shade plantings where a native, early-flowering perennial with persistent ornamental berries is desired. Compared to similar woodland groundcovers and low perennials, it offers the advantage of both spring flowers and summer-into-fall berry display without requiring aggressive management. It performs well in acidic to neutral soils typical of forest understory settings and spreads moderately via rhizomes, making it useful for naturalizing without becoming problematic.
Watch out for
This plant performs best in consistently moist soils and may struggle or decline in dry shade conditions common under shallow-rooted trees. In warmer zones at the southern edge of its range, afternoon shade and reliable moisture become more critical for sustained vigor.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asparagaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America
Native to: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A woodland perennial with arching stems bearing small white flowers in plume-like racemes, followed by attractive red berries that ripen to dark purple. It's an excellent choice for shade gardens and naturalizing in forest settings.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Solomon's Plume grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Solomon's plume fills a niche in shade plantings where a native, early-flowering perennial with persistent ornamental berries is desired. Compared to similar woodland groundcovers and low perennials, it offers the advantage of both spring flowers and summer-into-fall berry display without requiring aggressive management. It performs well in acidic to neutral soils typical of forest understory settings and spreads moderately via rhizomes, making it useful for naturalizing without becoming problematic.
Watch out for
This plant performs best in consistently moist soils and may struggle or decline in dry shade conditions common under shallow-rooted trees. In warmer zones at the southern edge of its range, afternoon shade and reliable moisture become more critical for sustained vigor.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asparagaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America
Native to: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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