Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)
Wild Ginger is an attractive, low-growing ground cover for the shade. It is nice because it is also deer-resistant and unlike many early spring woodland plants, it will keep its foliage throughout the season. It does have an attractive dark red flower that appears under the plant in early spring, but it fades quickly. Another important role Wild Ginger plays is that it can help create what is known as a soft landing, which is critical to the life cycle of the caterpillars that feed those birds.
Wild Ginger is an attractive, low-growing ground cover for the shade. It is nice because it is also deer-resistant and unlike many early spring woodland plants, it will keep its foliage throughout the season. It does have an attractive dark red flower that appears under the plant in early spring, but it fades quickly. Another important role Wild Ginger plays is that it can help create what is known as a soft landing, which is critical to the life cycle of the caterpillars that feed those birds.
Wild Ginger is an attractive, low-growing ground cover for the shade. It is nice because it is also deer-resistant and unlike many early spring woodland plants, it will keep its foliage throughout the season. It does have an attractive dark red flower that appears under the plant in early spring, but it fades quickly. Another important role Wild Ginger plays is that it can help create what is known as a soft landing, which is critical to the life cycle of the caterpillars that feed those birds.
Life Cycle: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Shade
Soil Moisture: Medium-wet, Medium, Medium-dry
Height: 6 inches
Plant Spacing: 6-12 inches
Bloom Time: April-June
Bloom Color: Red
Advantages: Deer Resistant, Great landscaping plant
Host Plant: 1 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant in our area
Complementary Plants: Foam Flower, Early Meadow Rue, Woodland Phlox, Trillium, Bloodroot