Maianthemum racemosum

Common Names

False Solomon's Seal, Feathery False Lily of the Valley, Solomon's Plume, Treacleberry, False Spikenard, American Spikenard, Wild Spikenard, Solomon's Zigzag, Large False Solomon's Seal, Feathery False Solomon's-Seal

Summary

False Solomon’s Seal (Maianthemum racemosum) is a woodland perennial native to North America, with arching, unbranched stems and alternate leaves with parallel veins; it grows 1–3 ft tall and spreads by thick rhizomes to form large colonies. In spring it bears feathery, fragrant panicles of small white flowers at the ends of the stems, followed by berries that ripen to red in late summer, giving a distinctive end-of-stem floral and berry display.

In cultivation it prefers moist, well-drained soils in partial to full shade and is hardy in USDA zones 3–8; it tolerates a range of soils and is suited to woodland borders, shade gardens, and naturalized areas, especially in groups of six or more. Propagation is by division or by seed, with underground rhizomes that form large colonies over time. It attracts bees and other pollinators, provides fruit for birds and small mammals, and is deer- and rabbit-resistant, making it a low-maintenance option for shaded landscapes.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-3 feet

Spread

12-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained, humus-rich loam soil

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-drained soil.

Soil pH

6.5-6.8, Acid to Neutral soil pH.

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow to gold in the fall, sometimes brown.

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow, spreads by thick rhizomes to form large colonies, takes 2-5 years to reach its ultimate height.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, other pollinators (flies and beetles), and birds