European Wild Ginger (Asarum europaeum)
[ah-SAR-um yur-oh-PAY-um]

Deciduous Perennial Spreading in the Aristolochiaceae Family
 
Buy European Wild Ginger
Size Notes Price Availability
Tray of 10 4" pots Field $67.43

European wild ginger is a lush mat of kidney-shaped leaves, providing beauty in shaded gardens. With its unique, hidden bell-shaped flowers and delightful ginger aroma, it is perfect for adding texture to your landscape!

Asarum europaeum, commonly known as European wild ginger, is a low-growing, evergreen perennial that is native to the woodlands of Europe. This shade-loving groundcover forms a dense mat of large, kidney-shaped leaves that remain attractive year-round, providing a lush, textural presence in the landscape. The foliage, which emerges in shades of dark green and occasionally with a reddish tinge, releases a distinct, ginger-like aroma when crushed or brushed against, earning the plant its common name. In early spring, just before the leaves fully unfurl, Asarum europaeum produces unique, bell-shaped flowers that sit low to the ground, hidden beneath the foliage. These unusual blooms range in color from reddish-brown to deep purple, adding subtle visual interest to the plant's groundcover habit. Adaptable to a variety of soil types, from acidic to alkaline, European wild ginger thrives in the dappled shade of woodland environments and is an excellent choice for naturalized garden settings, shady borders, and groundcover applications. Its evergreen nature, tolerance for dry conditions, and minimal maintenance requirements make Asarum europaeum a versatile and low-maintenance perennial for the shade garden.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 3 - 6 inches tall. 8 - 12 inches wide.
Moisture Tolerance Medium - Wet
Zones 4a - 8b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Attracts Pollinators, Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Edging, Filler, For a Shady Spot, Fragrant Foliage, Full Shade, Good for Beginners, Good for Borders, Good for Mass Planting, Good for Rain Garden, Good for Rock Garden, Insignificant Flowers, Low Maintenance, Medium, Most Popular, Native to Europe, Non-Allergenic, Normal Soil, Perennial, Pond, Rabbit Resistant, Shade Tolerant, Tender Perennial, Tolerant of Loamy Soil, Tolerant of Poor Soil, Tolerant of Sandy Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Wet, Wet Site Tolerant, Woodland Garden
Bloom Period May to June
Flower Color Reddish brown
 

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Pricing and Availability History

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Limited Availability

We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!


Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!