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Growing Smilacina
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Smilacina - Growing Guide

Growing Smilacina

(syn. Maianthemum racemosum)

False Solomon’s seal, May lily

This is an unusual clump forming, rhizomatous perennial whose flowers, appearance, and habit as a garden plant have much in common with Polygonatum multiflorum (Solomon’s seal).

This is a shade loving plant whose roots can easily be split and divided within the clump if lifted when it is dormant. That is not to say that Smilacina are in any way tender. Since this is a North American genus they are definitely not!

The flowers appear in May or June on arching stalks rising above the leaves and are in feathery spikes of tiny scented yellowish-white flowers. The flower stalks are about 2ft tall and clumps, when mature, will extend to a similar width with several flower stalks. After flowering the plant will produce clusters of red berries.