Chinese Wild Ginger
Asarum splendens

Family: Aristolochiaceae

What it is like

Asarum splendens is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.6 m (2ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 0.2

Where it is found

Forest floors full to part shade.

Asia

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, USA

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

A ginger-like rhizome with a strong potent flavour. They are commonly referred to as wild gingers (not a culinary gingers) as their rhizomes have a similar spicy scent.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

Groundcover - an excellent groundcover for shade and semi-shade. Known to tolerate Juglone (a poisonous product produced by black walnuts Juglans nigra). Attractive leaves - Containers. Ornamental. Food Forest.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Ground Cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

A semi-evergreen perennial with thick heart-shaped, dark green leaves. Asarum splendens is a showy, vigorous groundcover for shade with a vigorous rhizomatic root that forms a thick mat of foliage. It will remain semi-evergreen through mild winters. Semi shade to full shade. It prefers moist, slightly acidic organic soil in a well-drained site and is ideal for a shady border or a woodland garden. In China it grows on mountain slopes between 800-1,300 m above sea level. Flower Color: Purple. Bloomtime: Early Spring Foliage Color: Variegated. Resistant: Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant.. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length . Known to tolerate Juglone (a poisonous product produced by black walnuts Juglans nigra).

Propagating it: Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe. Can also be propagated by division in early spring.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Leaves toxic.

Its other names

Local names

Chinese wild ginger or showy Sichuan ginger

Synonyms

A. ching chengense C.Y.Chen & C.S.Yang. Heterotropa splendens F. Maek.