Those berries in the second picture look like Barberries, Berberis sp. Don't suppose you have a picture of the plant they came from? Do they smell 'juniper-y'? Seems to me the last time I tried to ID Polygonatum it came down to hairs on the leaf undersides or something. I haven't got the books here, and you may have stuff down there we don't have in NJ anyway. WW

I have two different experiences with it. About four or five years ago, I got some at a plant exchange. I divided it and put some in the back yard and some in the front yard; probably a couple of roots each) They both seemed to take forever to take off, but the front yard seemed to be doing the best so last spring I dug some for another spot. It did okay over the summer and this spring when I went to look for it, it is huge. I really didn't plant that many roots, but it is a nice tall clump with lots of stems,and flowering beautifully! I could hardly believe it.I expected it to be rather spindly and sparse for a couple of years. I also dug three roots out of the backyard clump to give to someone this spring (one of my favourite things about gardening--sharing! :))and I noticed that clump is also doing the best that it ever has.......it has thickened up very nicely, with lots of stems. So not sure why the two different experiences......maybe I dug up very mature roots that were ready to take off and spread? I don't know but I am very pleased! I hope the ones that I gave away are doing as well. gg

Hi Arborbluff, I am interested in your solomon and false solomon seal seeds, please take a look at my list to see if anything interests you. PLMK, thanks, Sophia

they are pretty hardy. the same thing happened to some that i transplanted. the first year they died off fairly quickly and i thought for sure they wouldnt make it. But they came back in full force the following year. Good luck.