Botanical Name: Smilacina racemosa
Add
Common Name: False Solomon's Seal  
Plant photo of: Smilacina racemosa
Previous Photo     Next Photo

Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Ground cover, Perennial

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

White

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Dark Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

Red

 

Fruit Season

Fall

Sun

Half, Shade

 

Water

Medium, High

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Japanese, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring

 

Location Uses

Background, Shrub Border

 

Special Uses

Mass Planting, Naturalizing

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:

  • Description

  • Notes

This native grows in shady areas with rich soil and dependable water sources. Stems are upright and gently arching, with alternately spaced green, ovate leaves of deep green. Dainty white flowers appear in mid to late spring in clusters at the tips of the stems, and are followed by red berries. The plant grows about 18 to 24 inches tall, and slowly spreads from rhizomes, though it is not aggressive. An effective herbaceous groundcover under high canopy trees and large shrubs.
Grow in loamy, rich, well drained soil in part shade to dappled full shade. Will need more moisture with more sun. Weekly watering ought to be adequate, but if it doesn't receive enough water it will go dormant, emerging the following spring.