Variegated Solomon's Seal

Delightful, Deer Resistant, Shade Lover

Plant a narrow border of Solomon’s Seal on the shady side of a house. Photo- Jan Johnsen

Someone in my town asked me for an easy care plant suggestion that tolerated shade and was deer resistant. I immediately answered Variegated Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’).

This elegant perennial grows 18 to 24 inches tall, has green and white striped foliage that turns a golden yellow in autumn. Its arching stems emerge from the ground in early spring and, in late spring, small, white bell-like flowers dangle beneath the leaves. The flowers are fragrant and smell like lilies. They are followed by non-edible blue-black berries. Variegated Solomon’s Seal is native to Europe and Asia. Grows in Zones 3-8. Rabbit resistant.

The bell-like flowers exude a subtle lily-like fragrance. These flowers turn to blue-black berries in the fall for added interest. Photo - Jan Johnsen

This woodland gem was awarded the 2013 Perennial Plant of the Year. It met the award criteria of low maintenance, has multiple-season interest, and is relatively pest/disease-free.

You can understand why I suggested this plant to my friend. Variegated Solomon's Seal can grow in dry shade. It thrives in organically rich soils and slowly spreads through underground rhizomes to create a small colony. Not Invasive. CAUTION: Harmful if eaten.

Beautiful Varieties of Variegated Solomon’s Seal

‘Angel Wings’

‘Angel Wings’ ( Polygonatum odoratum ‘Angel Wings’)is a vigorous grower to 3' wide in 5 years, with an extra wide, white leaf edge. Its stalk emerges red and ages to green. Zones 5-9.

‘Byakko’

'Byakko' (Polygonatum odoratum 'Byakko'). This means ‘White Tiger’ in Japanese. Its leaves develop a large white splotch near the red stems. It may take a couple of years for variegation to show. Plants will reach up to 20" tall with a spread of around 2'. Go to Edelweiss Perennials or Plant Delights for this Japanese beauty.

Double Stuff'

Polygonatum 'Double Stuff' Photo courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc. .

'Double Stuff' Polygonatum is similar to Angel Wings. It has a large white margin on green leaves.

How to Use Variegated Solomon's Seal In The Landscape

These tough plants are lovely when naturalized, they brighten up shady spots. Use with ferns and Hosta of all kinds. They are a perfect companion plant to brunnera, dicentra, perennial geraniums and astilbes. Plant in large groups for best effect.

They are slow to get established and is a slow grower.  Increase by dividing clumps every two to three years.

You can plant Solomons Seal in rock gardens and rain gardens. It works well under evergreen trees and you can use its variegated foliage in spring floral arrangements.