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Stratified Seeds - Giant Solomon's Seal
Stratified Seeds - Giant Solomon's Seal
Stratified Seeds - Giant Solomon's Seal
Stratified Seeds - Giant Solomon's Seal
Stratified Seeds - Giant Solomon's Seal
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Stratified Seeds - Giant Solomon's Seal

Polygonatum biflorum

$5.00
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Harvest year:

Origin:

Categories: Native, Nectar-rich, Woodland, Perennial

Native range: SK, MB, ON

For successful seedlings,
see the growing notes at the bottom of the page!

Giant Solomon's seal (Polygonatum biflorum) is an elegant perennial plant native to North America's understory and forests. It can reach between 30 and 90 cm in height and is distinguished by its arching stems and oval, dark green alternate leaves arranged in symmetrical rows along the stems. In the spring, small, bell-shaped, cream-coloured flowers hang in pairs under the stems, exhaling a sweet fragrance. In the fall, the flowers turn into blue-black berries, adding ornamental interest to shaded gardens.

Sociability index: 2 → Indicates the plant’s behaviour in space and its interactions with other plants.

Ecological Roles
Giant Solomon's seal provides a source of food and shelter in the understory. Its berries attract certain birds and small mammals in the fall, which help disperse the seeds. Its fragrant flowers also attract pollinators, including bees and bumblebees, in spring. Planting this species in woodland gardens supports shaded ecosystem biodiversity.

 

Upon receipt, it is important to place the packet containing seeds in the refrigerator until sowing.

Giant Solomon's seal seeds require cold stratification to ensure germination. See the growing notes below for more details.

Akène cannot assume any responsibility for the use of plants for therapeutic purposes. Always seek advice from a professional before using a medicinal or edible plant.

Growing Notes | Stratified Seeds - Giant Solomon's Seal

Upon receipt, it is important to place the packet containing the giant Solomon's seal seeds in the refrigerator.

Giant Solomon's seal grows in part shade to full shade and prefers moist soil.

Giant Solomon's seal seeds require a 60-day cold and moist stratification period, followed by a 30-day warm stratification period, then a second 60-day cold and moist stratification period to ensure germination.

The giant Solomon's seal seeds offered by Akène are sold in a sealed bag containing moistened vermiculite. The first stratification period began at the beginning of October. Depending on the month of receipt, the seeds will be at a different stage in the stratification process. Here is the schedule to follow to complete the dormancy cycle:

Early December: take the bag out of the refrigerator and leave it at room temperature, away from light and in its original packaging, for about 30 days for the warm stratification period.

Early January: place this same package back in the refrigerator for a second cold and moist stratification period of at least 60 days. The seeds are ready to start indoors at the beginning of March. You can also start them outdoors after the risk of frost has passed in your region, keeping the bag in the refrigerator until it is time to sow. Check the seeds in your refrigerator from time to time to make sure they have not begun to germinate.

Sow the seeds about 1 mm deep in a well-drained substrate. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Seeds per packet: 25

Family: Asparagaceae

Scientific name: Polygonatum biflorum

Life cycle: Perennial

Hardiness zone: 4

Soil type: All types

Soil moisture level: Humid

Soil - additional attributes: Humusy. Well-drained.

Drought tolerance: High

Light: Part shade, shade

Blooming: April to May (Missouri), May to June (Wisconsin)

Spacing: 40 cm

Height: 90 cm

Deer resistance: Moderate

Stratification: Pre-stratified

Scarification: No

Germination time: Unknown

Sowing depth: 1 mm

Reproductive system: Self-fertile hermaphrodite