A deciduous ground cover with soft green, kidney-shaped leaves and inconspicuous, green-brown flowers in the spring. Forms large colonies in cool, moist, woodland areas. Host to pipevine swallowtail (blue swallowtail) butterfly and pollinated by flies and fungus gnats. Ants help disperse the seeds.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Wild Ginger
Asarum canadense
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennials
Native Environment: Forest
Season of Interest: Early (Feb - Apr), Mid (May - June)
Main Color: Green
Fall Color:
USDA PLANTS Range Map
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Photo: Mervin Wallace
Sun Exposure
Medium Sun/Average Shade, Shade
Soil
Moisture
Moderate, High
Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Pollinators/Beneficial Insects
Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Host, Food/Pollinators
Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant
Size
Height:
5 to
6
inches
Spread:
10 to
12
inches
Size
Height: 5 to
6
inches
Spread: 10 to
12
inches
Size
Height: 5 to
6
inches
Spread: 10 to
12
inches
Typical Landscape Use
Excellent ground cover in partial to full shade and beneath trees where other plants won't grow. Too aggressive for a mixed shade border.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Grow in partial to full shade in moderate/average to moist soil.
Special Features
Special Usage
Ground Cover
Basic Description
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.