The Well-Tended Perennial Garden The Essential Guide to Planting and Pruning Techniques, Third Edition

Polygonatum odoratum

‘Variegatum’

variegated Solomon’s seal

aSparagaceae

White bell-shaped flowers; broad green and

creamy white variegated leaves

2–3 ft. high; 2 ft. wide

Shade

Blooms May–June

Zones 3–9

pruning Deadheading is not

required for this perennial, as the old

flowers simply drop off the plant.

Minimal, if any, fruit is produced on

this cultivar of Solomon’s seal. The

foliage holds up beautifully all season

with no pruning. It turns an outstand-

ing yellow in the autumn, and the

leaves fall off the stems after several

killing frosts. The stems usually loosen

from the rhizome and fall over after

killing frosts; they are easily pulled off

at this time. Do not tug on the stems as

this will pull the rhizome out of the

soil. Cut off the stem if it has not

loosened itself for the winter.

other maintenance Wonderful

low-maintenance perennial. Slow to

establish—be patient with young

plants—but long-lived once it takes

hold. Prefers rich organic soil. Tolerant

of drought and competition from tree

roots once established. The

slow-spreading rhizome roots seldom

need division, but it can be done in the

early spring. Leave several buds per

division for best success with

transplanting.

Potentilla nepalensis

Nepal cinquefoil

r oSaceae

Pink, 1-in. flowers on thin stems; strawber-

rylike foliage with 5-toothed leaflets

12–18 in. high; 24 in. wide

Full sun

Blooms May–August

Zones 4–7

Polygonatum odoratum
‘Variegatum’