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Is there really such a thing as a 7-foot tall Solomon's Seal?

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

I was gifted a "giant" Solomon's seal, was told it can get 6-7' tall -- is there really such a thing? The only "tall" SS I'm familiar with only gets maybe 4-4.5'-ish, easily placed under trees. What the heck am I going do with a 7' SS !?!?!

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chouchou_gw

4 years ago

I purchased polygonatum stenanthum from Lost Horizons this spring and it is supposed to get 6 to 7 feet tall. I'm hoping it will make a nice architectural statement someday in the future.

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Comments (6)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years ago
Actually, there are several species of Poygonatum, typically Asian species, than can achieve considerable height. Polygonatum vietnamicum grows as much as 15' tall!! Giant Solomon's seal, Polygonatum canaliculatum (syn. P. biflorum var. commutatum), will vary anywhere from 3-7' depending on climate and growing conditions. Because the stems tend to arch, it is sometimes misleading in appearance as to exactly how tall it is.
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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
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That is a gorgeous picture - congrats on growing those beauties. Its too late for this year, but a couple of suggestions: Peony rings with the criss/crossed grid inside the round frame - will hold up the lower stems and the plant grows right through it. you can get these really tall. Tomato cages work also. Ditto the linking stakes that you sink in the ground and then have like a hook and eye attachment - you can make your circle any size. wooden stakes or green bamboo and string will loosely hold up the billowing stems and you can get them in place after the flopping starts if you have a helper. I use 8 ft green bamboo stakes and green garden twine to tie up some things like dahlias, Lilium Black Beauty - 7 footer. But the very best holder upper I've ever found is the plant itself. If you haven't read Tracy diSabato-Aust's book called the Well Tended Perennial Garden, she describes in great detail how to pinch or prune plants to make the plant more compact and delay blooming. I have started to cut my heliopsis in 3 layers, kind of like a wedding cake - shortest on the outside ring, then another layer that ends up about 4 ft tall. The center is left alone. This doesn't have to be so exact because I want the plant to look relaxed and natural, not rigid and defined, but it does prolong the bloom time and also the outside rings hold up the center on what has become a very large plant.
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I must be getting tired. I saw the title of this post and immediately thought of Redd Foxx grabbing his chest and predicting "the big one". I grow mine in shade only, but I think Shari's suggestion of planting a tall perennial is a good one. If you are unsure, try a tall annual like Tithonia or sunflower or intersperse them with some taller perennials. Even if you are virtually planting on top of the SS for quick cover, things will probably work out. I think these will prove more forgiving than you might expect until you either get re-situated or decide that you can do without them.
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Marie Tulin
4 years ago
And who sells these lovelies? Plant Delights sells unusuals for a very hefty price.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years ago
In its heyday, Heronswood Nursery carried 15-20 different species of Polygonatum, including several of the very tall growing Asian species. Since its unfortunate demise, availability seems to be pretty scarce. Far Reaches Farms, which shows a lot of promise for becoming a good replacement source for many of the outstanding exotics Heronswood used to carry, currently carries an inventory of a dozen or so species, including the P. vietnamicum. Be sure to check hardiness zones....many of these require milder winter climates to thrive.
Jay 6a Chicago
4 years ago
Polygonatum kingianum can get tall and is offered a few places like garden delights and mountain gardens. Some places say it can reach 6 ft, other places 12 ft. I grow P. biflorum var. commutatum, it reaches 5 ft.
davidrt28 (zone 7)
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
P. kingianum from Far Reaches has survived 0F, with solidly frozen ground and scant mulch. Surprised me a bit, actually; I had meant to heavily mulch it but forgot. (the mystery plant that snuck into it's pot, alluded to in a prior thread by me, did _not_. Looked like it could have been a Pleione, so no surprise there.) I mainly bought it for the red flowers but the size and odd hooked leaves are potentially appealing. It has not flowered yet.

I take that back. It flowered at some point this year but I have been so overwhelmed by work, not even sure I had time to snap a picture. Very cool looking flowers. Between contracts but likely to be swamped by work again...so for the people who don't like me, I'll be keeping a low profile again, soon LOL.

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