Overview

Discover the charm of the woodland garden with our offering of wild ginger bare root plants. This package contains 15 Wild Ginger Plants, scientifically known as Asarum canadense, provided as planting stock. These beautiful and unique plants are a fantastic choice for anyone looking to cultivate a natural, shaded landscape. Organically grown, our Asarum canadense plants are harvested fresh per order and shipped promptly to ensure they arrive in prime condition, ready for planting. Wild Ginger is a fascinating native perennial wildflower, known for its heart-shaped leaves and unusual, bell-shaped flowers that bloom at ground level, often hidden beneath the foliage. It spreads to form an attractive ground cover, making it an excellent addition to woodland settings, shaded borders, or naturalized areas where it can thrive with minimal intervention. Its unique appearance and easy-care nature make it a rewarding plant for both novice and experienced gardeners.

The common name ‘Wild Ginger’ comes from the scent and flavor of its rhizomes, which are reminiscent of true ginger, though it is not botanically related to culinary ginger. This plant is celebrated not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its ecological benefits, providing habitat and food for native insects. It’s a robust and reliable choice for adding biodiversity and beauty to your garden, particularly in those challenging shady spots where other plants struggle. Planting instructions are included with every order, guiding you on how to best establish your new wild ginger bare root plants for long-term success.

Key Benefits

Integrating Asarum canadense plants into your garden offers numerous advantages, from ecological contribution to aesthetic enhancement. These plants are a joy to grow and provide lasting beauty with minimal effort.

• Excellent Groundcover for Shade: Wild Ginger bare root plants naturally spread to form a dense, attractive groundcover in shaded areas, suppressing weeds and providing a lush carpet of heart-shaped leaves. They are perfect for woodland gardens or beneath trees where grass struggles.
• Native Perennial Wildflower: As a native perennial wildflower, Wild Ginger is well-adapted to local ecosystems, supporting native pollinators and wildlife. It contributes to biodiversity and creates a more resilient garden environment.
• Organically Grown & Healthy Stock: Our plants are cultivated organically, ensuring you receive robust, healthy bare roots free from synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, promoting a healthier garden from the start.
• Unique Ornamental Appeal: The distinctive heart-shaped leaves and unusual, often hidden, maroon-brown flowers add unique visual interest to any shaded landscape. Its subtle beauty is a delightful surprise.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, wild ginger bare root plants require very little care, making them ideal for gardeners seeking beautiful plants that don’t demand constant attention. They are drought-tolerant once mature.
• Erosion Control: The spreading root system of Asarum canadense plants helps stabilize soil on slopes and prevents erosion, especially in shaded areas where soil can be prone to wash away.
• Supports Local Ecosystems: By choosing a native perennial wildflower like Wild Ginger, you’re directly contributing to the health of local insect populations and creating a more balanced garden ecosystem.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your wild ginger bare root plants is straightforward, especially when you understand their natural preferences. These resilient plants thrive in conditions that mimic their native woodland habitats. The key to success lies in providing the right moisture, shade, and soil. When you receive your Asarum canadense plants, it’s best to plant them as soon as possible. Choose a location that receives partial to full shade; deep shade is often preferred, especially in warmer climates, as too much direct sun can scorch their leaves. Morning sun with afternoon shade is also acceptable.

Wild ginger bare root prefers rich, moist, well-draining soil that is high in organic matter. Amend your planting area with compost or leaf mold to improve soil structure and fertility. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the first growing season as the plants establish. While they tolerate some drought once mature, prolonged dryness can lead to dormancy or stress. Water regularly during dry spells. Mulching around the plants with leaf litter or wood chips can help retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and provide a slow release of nutrients.

These native perennial wildflower plants are generally hardy in USDA Zones 4-8. They do not require much fertilization if planted in rich soil, but a light application of a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring can encourage vigorous growth. Pests and diseases are rarely a problem for Wild Ginger, making them a relatively trouble-free addition to your garden. Allow them space to spread naturally, and you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful, verdant groundcover that beautifully complements other shade-loving plants. Remember, the goal is to replicate a cool, moist, and shady woodland floor environment for optimal growth of your wild ginger bare root.

Size & Details

This offering includes 15 Wild Ginger Plants (Asarum canadense) provided as bare root planting stock. These roots are harvested fresh per order to ensure maximum viability and vigor upon arrival. When established, Asarum canadense plants typically form a dense ground cover, reaching a height of 6 to 12 inches with a spread of 1 to 2 feet per plant over time. The heart-shaped leaves are usually 4 to 6 inches wide. These plants are known for their moderate growth rate, spreading by rhizomes to create a colony over several seasons. The small, reddish-brown, bell-shaped flowers bloom in early spring, often hidden beneath the foliage at ground level.

The bare roots you receive are ready for immediate planting and come with detailed instructions to guide you through the process. They will not have foliage or a pot upon arrival, as this is the standard and most effective method for shipping and establishing wild ginger bare root plants. Expect them to establish their root system in the first season and begin to produce characteristic foliage. Full coverage and a more established appearance will develop in subsequent growing seasons, creating a natural and beautiful shade garden plant. The long-term success of your woodland plant depends on proper initial planting and consistent moisture during establishment.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big do these Wild Ginger plants get? A: Once established, Asarum canadense plants typically grow 6 to 12 inches tall and spread 1 to 2 feet wide, forming a beautiful groundcover. They spread by rhizomes to create a colony over time.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) is an outdoor plant, specifically a native perennial wildflower that thrives in shaded woodland environments. It is not suitable for indoor cultivation.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This shade garden plant prefers partial to full shade. Too much direct sunlight, especially afternoon sun, can scorch its leaves. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, once established, wild ginger bare root plants are very low maintenance. They require consistent moisture during establishment but become quite resilient with minimal care afterward, making them a great woodland plant for beginners.
• Q: What condition will the plants arrive in? A: You will receive 15 Wild Ginger Plants as bare roots, meaning they will not have foliage or a pot. They are harvested fresh per order and shipped promptly to ensure they arrive in good, viable condition, ready for planting.
• Q: When is the best time to plant Wild Ginger bare roots? A: The best time to plant wild ginger bare root is typically in early spring or fall when temperatures are cooler and moisture is more consistent. This allows the roots to establish before extreme heat or cold.
• Q: What type of soil does Wild Ginger prefer? A: Asarum canadense plants thrive in rich, moist, well-draining soil that is high in organic matter. Amending your soil with compost or leaf mold is highly recommended for optimal growth.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Yes, as a hardy native perennial wildflower, Wild Ginger is cold-tolerant and will survive winter in USDA Zones 4-8. It will go dormant in colder months and re-emerge in spring.
• Q: Can I use Wild Ginger for culinary purposes? A: While the rhizomes have a ginger-like aroma and flavor, it’s important to note that Asarum canadense is not true culinary ginger and should be used with caution, if at all, for consumption. It’s primarily grown as an ornamental.
• Q: How long until I see foliage from the bare roots? A: With proper planting and care, you can expect to see new foliage emerge from your wild ginger bare root plants within a few weeks to a month after planting, depending on the time of year and growing conditions.