7 named cultivars

perennial

Fragrant Solomon's Seal

The Story

Plant Bio

Polygonatum odoratum, or scented Solomon's seal, is a rhizomatous woodland perennial from Europe and Asia, sending up arching stems two to three feet long from a slowly spreading root. Oval ribbed leaves are held in one plane along the stem, and small white bells hang beneath them in April and May. The flowers are lightly fragrant.

The arching habit and single-plane leaves make it read as a horizontal line in a border, which is why it works so well against upright ferns and hostas. It spreads by thin rhizomes into slow colonies and dislikes hot summers, so in warm regions it needs genuine shade rather than dappled light.

Uses & Benefits:

Arching stems of ribbed foliage with hanging white bells, turning clear yellow in autumn.

Reliable structure for deep shade where flowering perennials are limited, and good cut foliage.

Early bells are worked by bumblebees at a point in spring when little else is open in shade.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

30 inches

Width

12 inches

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Medium to high

Humidity

Average to high

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Europe and Asia

Toxicity

Mildly toxic if ingested

Planting

How to Grow

Plant rhizomes in autumn or early spring, two inches deep.
Choose part to full shade with cool, humus-rich soil.
Keep the ground moist while the colony establishes.
Mulch with leaf mould each autumn.
Leave stems standing until they yellow in autumn.
Lift and divide congested colonies every few years.

Pro Tip

Plant it where you will see the flowers from below or from the side; they hang under the stem and vanish when viewed from above.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Site it in part to full shade 🌳
Enrich the soil with leaf mould before planting 🍂
Keep the ground cool and evenly moist 💧
Divide congested colonies in autumn 🌱

Don't

Plant it in a hot, sunny position ❌
Let the soil bake dry in midsummer ❌
Cut the stems down while they are still green ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Divide
Mulch

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Woodland garden underplantingShaded border front with ferns and hostasCut foliage for arrangements

Companion Plants

HostaJapanese Painted Fern Hellebore Foamflower Bleeding Heart

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Fragrant Solomon's Seal questions

What zones can Fragrant Solomon's Seal grow in?

Fragrant Solomon's Seal is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Fragrant Solomon's Seal deer resistant?

Yes — Fragrant Solomon's Seal is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Fragrant Solomon's Seal bloom?

Fragrant Solomon's Seal typically blooms in mid to late spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Fragrant Solomon's Seal need full sun?

Fragrant Solomon's Seal does best in part shade.