Chinese Wild Ginger

Chinese Wild Ginger is an excellent groundcover for brightening a shady woodland garden. The glossy, heart-shaped leaves are splashed in shades of silver variegation. This woodland grower features dark-purple flowers early in the spring and stays fresh looking even in the hottest summer weather. Chinese Wild Ginger is low maintenance and a reasonably quick grower to fill those hard-to-plant spots. Asarum splendens is native to China and is related to the North American native Asarum canadensis.Wild Ginger is the perfect groundcover for a shady woodland site but is also great as a filler for containers and planters on a shaded porch or deck. When crushed or brushed against, the fragrant flowers and foliage have a subtle ginger scent. These plants are also deer resistant and rabbit-proof, making them useful in areas with high deer populations. Wild Ginger requires almost no maintenance and only requires dividing every 3-4 years. Chinese Wild Ginger CarePlant Wild Ginger in soil that is well draining but also retains moisture. Shady woodland gardens away from tree roots or near stream beds and ponds are ideal settings. Ginger prefers acidic soil (6.0 pH and below) but will grow reasonably well in neutral soil. Water once or twice a week to establish new plants. Supplemental watering will be needed during periods of heat and drought in the summer. Apply approximately 1 inch of water a week, watering deeply at the root zone. Mulch the root zone with 2-3 inches of arborist chips or shredded leaves to help the soil retain moisture.No pruning is necessary for Wild Ginger. Cutting back the spent foliage late in the fall helps to make the flowers more visible in the spring. Dividing should be done every 3-4 years to keep the plants thriving. Clumps of plants are easily dug out and split into manageable pieces. Make sure to include as much root as possible and replant quickly before the plant dries out. Chinese Wild Ginger SpacingChinese Wild Ginger reaches a mature height of 5-8 inches and spreads 14-18 inches. Space plants 12 inches apart on the center when planting as a groundcover.Chinese Wild Ginger InformationUSDA Hardiness Zones: 6 – 9Plant Type: Edible PlantsLight Exposure: Full Shade to Partial Shade (0 – 4 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)Mature Height: 5 – 8 InchesMature Spread: 14 – 18 InchesSpacing: 14 – 18 InchesHabit: SpreadingFlower Color(s): PurpleFlower Description: Bloom Period: SpringFoliage Type: Evergreen, VariegatedFoliage Color(s): Green, SilverFoliage Description: VariegatedSeasonal Interest: Spring FloweringWatering: AverageResists: Deer, Disease, Pests & InsectsTolerates: N/AAttracts: N/AContainer Role: Uses: Borders, ContainersFeatures: Foliage Interest, Low MaintenanceBrand: Common Name: Chinese Wild GingerOther Name(s): Chinese Wild GingerScientific Name: Asarum splendens