Canadian Wild Ginger

Scientific name

Asarum canadense

Description

Canadian Wild Ginger is a perennial ground cover species that typically grows between 10 and 20 cm in height. The leaves are large, velvety, heart shaped with a deep cleft at the base, have entire margins, are covered with soft hairs, and appear in pairs. The single flower is reddish or purplish brown, cup shaped, not showy, appears between the two leaf stalks, and blooms in the early Spring between April and June. The roots have a strong ginger flavor and spread to produce small colonies. It is useful for controlling erosion and stabilizing shorelines.

Planting conditions

Canadian Wild Ginger grows best in normal to moist conditions with shade or partial sun exposure. It prefers rich well-drained loam or humus soil types. It is tolerant to shade, acidic soil, and very wet areas. This plant can be naturally found in moist forests and along shaded stream or lake shorelines.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Max 1.5m
  • Max 2m
  • Max 3m
  • Any
• Moisture level:
  • Normal
  • Moist
  • Wet
• Light conditions:
  • Partial sun
  • Shade
• Soil type:
  • Loamy
  • Humus
• pH:
  • Acidic
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
• Eco Zone:
  • 3a
  • 3b
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
  • 6a
  • 6b
• Plant type:
  • Ground Cover
• Height:
  • 10-20 cm
• Spread:
  • 1 m