Wild Ginger has large heart-shaped leaves and a dense root system that work together to form a solid ground cover in the shade. An attractive red flower, often hidden from view by the foliage, blooms in early spring. Wild Ginger keeps …
Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) has large heart-shaped leaves and a dense root system that work together to form a solid ground cover in the shade. An attractive red flower, often hidden from view by the foliage, blooms in early spring. Wild Ginger keeps its beautiful foliage throughout the season, making it a good companion to spring ephemerals that go dormant after they bloom. It combines well with a host of other natives, such as Maidenhair Fern, Lady Fern, Ostrich Fern, Jacob's Ladder and Wild Blue Phlox - to name a few.
Once established, a ground cover of Wild Ginger can fend off Garlic Mustard and other invasives. Transplants spaced one foot apart will form a solid cover in two to three years. This deer resistant woodland native tolerates a variety of soil types, including clay.
Although not related to culinary ginger, the roots of Wild Ginger produce a scent that is similar to ginger. Fresh or dried roots were used by early Americans as a ginger substitute, but the plant is not normally used today for culinary purposes. Other common names include Woodland Ginger, Coltsfoot, Indian Ginger, Namepin and Sturgeon Potato.
Native plants can be grown outside of their native range in the appropriate growing conditions. This map shows the native range, as well as the introduced range, of this species.
Plant Shipping Rates: for plant orders up to $50 the shipping amount is $9.95. For plant orders from $50.01 and over, the shipping rate is 20% of the total plant cost.
Fall plant-shipping begins on September 9, 2024. The last day to order your plants for fall shipment is September 29.
During checkout, you will be asked to choose a Shipping Week for your plant delivery, from the dates that are available. The week that you choose will be included in your order confirmation email. When your plants ship you will receive an email that includes your tracking information.
This plant can be successfully planted in either spring or fall. With fall installations, we recommend installing the plants six weeks before the ground freezes. This can vary, depending upon where you live. In Wisconsin, plants need to be in the ground by early-mid October. An article in our Resources & Guides section covers Tips for Planting in Fall.
Do weeds need to be pulled/eliminated before planting a ground cover? Or can a ground cover drown out the weeds? Wild ginger for example.
We strongly recommend eliminating weeds before establishing a ground cover. A ground cover of Wild Ginger will easily supress weeds once it is fully established. However, during the year or two when it is spreading and filling-in, weeds will be able to prevail. It is so much easier to remove weeds prior to planting, than it is to pull them from within a bed that you are trying to establish.
Does wild ginger grow under pine trees?
Yes, Wild Ginger does grow under pines trees. Other plants that will grow under pine trees are listed in the Planting Guides section of our Resources: Plants that Grow Under Pines
When planting wild ginger as bare roots, which way is up?
The main root should be positioned in the soil horizontally. The secondary roots should be oriented downward, into the soil. There may also be visible, coming off of the main root, a shoot of new plant growth, and that should face upward.
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