Wild Ginger
Asarum canadense
A charming woodland groundcover with heart-shaped leaves that forms lush carpets in shaded gardens. This native wildflower produces curious burgundy bell-shaped flowers hidden beneath the foliage in spring, pollinated by ground-dwelling beetles and ants. Its aromatic rhizomes were historically used as a ginger substitute by early settlers.
Sun
Shaded Slope Paths & Walkways Native Plant Demonstration Garden All Saints' Episcopal Church
Zones
4–6
USDA hardiness
Height
6-12 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Wild Ginger in USDA Zone 4
All Zone 4 native-wildflower →Zone Map
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Wild Ginger · Zones 4–6
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Shaded Slope Paths & Walkways Native Plant Demonstration Garden All Saints' Episcopal Church. Soil: High Organic Matter, Shallow Rocky. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Wet. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches, 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Slow. Propagation: Root Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Displays from May to June.
Color: Brown/Copper, Green. Type: Capsule. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Harvest time: Summer
Bloom time: Spring
History & Origin
Origin: North America
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Erosion, Heavy Shade, Wet Soil
- +Attracts: Butterflies, Pollinators, Songbirds
- +Wildlife value: Larval host plant for pipevine swallowtail butterfly (Battus philenor). Flies and beetles are pollinators.
Considerations
- -Toxic (Leaves, Roots, Stems): Medium severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Hostas
Share similar shade and moisture requirements, complement each other's foliage textures
Ferns
Thrive in same woodland conditions, create layered forest understory effect
Trillium
Native woodland companion with similar soil and light preferences
Mayapple
Both prefer rich, moist woodland soils and dappled shade
Astilbe
Enjoys same moist, shaded conditions and adds complementary flowering texture
Heuchera
Native understory plant that shares moisture and shade requirements
Bloodroot
Early spring ephemeral that complements ginger's growing season
Solomon's Seal
Woodland native with compatible root systems and shade tolerance
Keep Apart
Mint
Aggressive spreader that can overwhelm wild ginger's delicate root system
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth of many understory plants
Pachysandra
Dense mat-forming groundcover that competes aggressively for space and nutrients
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Very disease resistant, rarely has problems
Common Pests
Slugs, snails occasionally
Diseases
Root rot only in waterlogged soils