Maianthemum racemosum

Maianthemum racemosum, False Solomon's Seal is a choice woodlander from North America where it grows in fertile, humus-rich soils in dappled shade. In time it forms a large, extremely handsome clump spreading underground by its vigourous rhizomes. Its large fragrant pyramid-shaped terminal flower-spikes are borne from May onward and during the summer develop into green berries splotched with orange before turning bright red in late summer and early autumn.

Its elegant arching foliage has alternating elliptical leaves and the stems zig-zag between each leaf. The combination of lush green foliage and large racemes of snowy white flowers is particularly restful on the eye. There is a resemblance to Polygonatum from where it gets it common name, False Solomon's Seal.

The most geographically wide-spread of the Maianthemums, Maianthemum racemosum is a reliable and ever-pleasing species providing you have the right combination of shade and humus-rich soil. It will survive in full sun and less organically-rich soils but it will not do as well.