Asarum - Aristolochiaceae:
Asarum - Aristolochiaceae:
There are some seventy plus species of Ararum. The vast majority of them come from northeast Asia.
They are all rhizomatous perinnials forming low mats of foliage in woodland habitates, generally found growing at low altitudes and often in fairly deep shade.
The leaves are more or less heart shaped, some often have attractive mottled silvery patches. The flowers on these are best viewed if you plant into a raised bed or trough.
These are truly facinating plants to grow.
Asarum asaroides - USDA Zones 6-9 Evergreen clump-forming Japanese species with gray-green leaves to 6" long,with cloudy silver patterns, taking on a rosy blush in winter. Name means "asarum resembling an asarum." Large tubby brown flowers in spring. Easy garden plant essential for the shade garden.
Asarum asperum - USDA Zones 6b-9 Clump-forming evergreen Japanese species with leaves to 3" long, marked with a wide variety of beautiful patterns. Curious "Dutchman's pipe" - shaped flowers in spring. Often seen in Kyoto temple gardens. Good garden plant.
Asarum caulescens - USDA Zones 4-8 It's not easy being deciduous, but this charming Japanese woodlander belongs in every shade garden. Dainty heart-shaped 2-3 inch long leaves with deeply impressed patterns of venetion. Pretty nodding rosy-pink flowers. Small enough for a trough. Elegant groundcover for small bulbs such as trout lilies.
Asarum celsum - USDA Zones 7b-9 Very rare clumping evergreen species from Amami Oshima (island) in the Ryukyu Island chain. Variable leaves, usually patterned, and purple-brown flowers with rings of ridges and ruffles.
Asarum costatum - USDA Zones 7-9 Rare clumping Japanese species from Shikoku Island. Shiny, evergreen variously-patterned leaves to 5" long. 2-tone "Dutchman's pipe" - shaped flowers. Good for southeast gardens.
Asarum dimidiatum - USDA Zones 4-8 Rarely seen Japanese deciduous species with bright green leaves and dark purple, naearly black flowers.
Asarum dissitum - USDA Zones 8-9 Extremely rare species from Iriomote Island in the Japanese Ryukyu Island chain. Evergreen clumper with handsome foliage either nearly glossy or almost velvety. Small brownish tubular flowers.
Asarum fauriei - USDA Zones 5-9 One of the hardiest evergreen species, from northern Japan, with dainty oval to rounded evergreen leaves, usually unmarked. Spreads slowly into a small scale ground cover. Easy garden plant.
Asarum fudsinoi - USDA Zones 8-9 Rare evergreen Japanese species from several islands in the Ryukyus. The most variable species in Japan. Medium to very large clumper with small to very large flowers. Leaves usually unmarked, but often 6-8".
Latest Articles