Asarum arifolium

Asarum arifolium is a species of wild ginger that is not very common in gardens. Native to the forests of the southeastern United States, it stands out with its two-tone green foliage, marbled with silver, which can evoke, on a smaller scale, that of cyclamen from Naples. Its foliage is much more developed, longer, and emits an intriguing scent of anise when crushed. Under this ample foliage, a nest of round, bicoloured flowers appears in spring, almost black-purple with large white spots. Its shiny leaves remain evergreen throughout winter and form luxurious ground cover in light undergrowth and cool soil.

Locally called Arrow-Leaf Ginger due to the aniseed fragrance that can be detected when crushing its foliage or roots, the Asarum arifolium is a North American species belonging to the Aristolochiaceae family, with no connection to ginger. While its cousins, the Aristolochia, climb the branches of trees in tropical or Mediterranean regions, the Asarum spreads out in the shade of undergrowth, forming a 20 cm (8in) tall carpet and slowly expanding thanks to its rhizomatous roots. Its evergreen leaves are 15 cm (6in) long, heart-shaped and pointed, and are arranged in tufts near the ground. Marbled and spotted in bright green, medium green, and silver, their foliage, marked by prominent veins, reflects light beautifully. Between March and May, fascinating but somewhat hidden under the leaves, fairly large bell-shaped flowers appear, held close to the ground. They have three highly contrasting petals, almost black-purple, illuminated by a large white basal spot.

Reaching just over 20 cm (8in) in height, Asarum arifolium will make an excellent ground cover in cool undergrowth and not too cold climates: it is hardy in zone 7. It appreciates shaded exposure and fresh humus-rich soils in summer, as well as well-drained soils, and will blend beautifully with other shade perennials, such as Sanguinaria, Achimenes, Syneilesis and Rohdea, or ferns. Its foliage will remain evergreen until relatively low temperatures, especially under a thick layer of snow. It can be planted in a pot to be admired up close and to closely monitor attacks by slugs and snails.