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Also known as treacledberry, this clump-forming herbaceous perennial is native to North America where it grows in woodlands. It is a member of the asparagus family, Asparagaceae, that also includes glory of the snow, lily of the valley, yucca, and hosta. The broadly ovate leaves resemble those of hosta and are up to six inches long the three inches across. They are carried on unbranched green to light green stems that bear a flat terminal panicle up to four inches long and two inches across in late spring. The panicle is made up of twenty to eighty feathery, fragrant white flowers 1/6 inch across that are sometimes followed by edible glossy aromatic red berries that were eaten by Native Americans for their sweetness. Although the leaves are similar to those of true Solomon’s seal, the flowers are very different.
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Bloom: Terminal panicles made up of twenty to eighty feathery, fragrant white flowers 1/6 inch across in late spring
Size: 36” H x 12” W
Light: Dappled shade
Soil: Average, moist, well-drained
Hardiness: Zones 3-8
Care: Low maintenance
Pests and Diseases: None of significance
Propagation: Seed, division in spring
Companion plants: Fern, hosta, Trillium
Karen Meyers