Polygonatum odoratum - Solomon's Seal

Polygonatum odoratum, better known as fragrant Solomon's seal, is a botanical species naturally found in the undergrowth. It is a small perennial plant that thrives in shade or partial shade and is particularly easy to acclimatise in the garden in most regions. In spring, it produces subtly scented tubular flowers that hang from slightly curved leafy stems. Almost white, tinged with green at the tips, they resemble long lily-of-the-valley bells and later give way to small blue-black spherical fruits. This small wild plant is perfectly hardy and spreads as a ground cover through its rhizomes, adorning and perfuming the base of spring shrubs, alongside daffodils or snowflakes.

Polygonatum officinale belongs to the Asparagaceae family. It populates our European woodlands. It is an herbaceous perennial plant that develops from a fleshy ochre-coloured rhizome and produces upward-angled, leafy stems in spring. These stems are both erect and trailing, averaging around 40cm (16in) in height (30 to 50cm (12 to 20in) depending on growing conditions). Over time, this Solomon's seal will form colonies that cover at least 60cm (24in) of the ground. The foliage is deciduous, and the oval-shaped leaves are arranged in two opposite rows. The lamina is a shiny dark green. The leaves measure 4 to 8cm (2 to 3in) long, have a lanceolate oval shape, and prominent veins. Flowering occurs from April to June, depending on the climate, with tubular flowers topped with dark green, 1 to 2cm (1in) long. The pendant blooms are solitary or paired and arise from the axils of the leaves. The scent of the flowers can vary. They are followed by blue-black spherical fruits measuring 2 to 6mm (0.3in) in diameter. The plant goes dormant at the end of summer. Like lily-of-the-valley, Solomon's seal is a very pretty but toxic plant, so be cautious if there are curious little explorers in your garden.

Although it may be a bit slow to establish, this Solomon's seal is nevertheless faithful, long-lived, and requires very little care. It tolerates root competition from trees and shrubs. It can be planted in woodlands or dappled sunlight (introduce several plants in a small area) to accompany the spring blooms of magnolias, kolwitzia, deutzias, spireas, lilacs, flowering cherries, and apple trees. In borders, plant it at the base of shrubs with Anemone 'Robinsoniana', macleayas, Anemone blanda, and golden yellow ranunculus. In nature, Solomon's seal often grows alongside lily-of-the-valley. Do the same and enhance this beautiful woodland scene by adding daffodils, snowdrops, snowflakes, and blue scillas, which will take over once the Solomon's seal has finished flowering.

The most common explanation for the name "Solomon's seal" comes from the appearance of the scars left on the rhizomes once the flower stalks have dried, which resemble King Solomon and King David's six-pointed seal. King Solomon is also said to have discovered the medicinal properties of polygonatum. Nowadays, the distilled sap from the rhizomes is still used in cosmetics.