Asarum
(Wild Gingers)
Asarums are attracting attention from shade gardeners because
of their beautiful often evergreen folage that offers a partial cure for
hosta fatigue. They are mostly not as care-free as hostas, but many amateur
gardeners are doing well with them. They can be very satisfying if their
basic needs are met. They absolutely require moist humusy or gravelly soil
with excellent drainage. They will not tolerate sum expect in early morning.
Other challenges include slugs, and diseases such as botrytis and rhizoctonia
crown rot. If you do well with a variety of shade -loving woodland plants
you can succeed with asarums. They don't need much fertilizer, but you may
fertilize lightly with a slow-release fertilizer. Evergreen species benefit
from a cover of evergreen branches in winter for at least the first year.
Asarums are shipped
as bare-root divisions wrapped in sphagnum moss. Divisions must be potted
right away in a well drained soil mix. One or two quart pots are best, depending
on species. Compost mixed with coarse sand, turface, or pumice is fine.
Bark -based mixes are better than peat-based mix.
| Asarum asaroides |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 6-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$138
|
US$250
|
US$450
|
US$2,000
|
US$3,500
|
| |
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"; taxonomists are deranged. Large tubby
brown flowers in spring. Easy plant essential for the shade garden,
glorious when the hostas are frozen mush. |
| NEW!Asarum
asaroides album selection #1 |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 6-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$750
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Pale
jade green flower and especially beautiful leaf pattern. . |
| NEW!Asarum
asaroides album #5 'Ryoku Fu' |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 6-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$1,250
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Pure
white flower shading to jade green on the outside.. |
| Asarum asperum |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 6-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$138
|
US$250
|
US$450
|
US$2,000
|
US$3,500
|
| |
Clump-forming
evergreen species from central Japan with leaves to 3" long, marked
with a variety of beautiful patterns. Curious "Dutchman's pipe" flowers
in spring. Often seen in Kyoto temple gardens. Good garden plant. |
| NEW!Asarum
asperum semi-album selection #4 |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 6-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$750
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
As above, with pale green flowers
with a reddish throat. |
| Asarum campaniforme |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 8-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$225
|
US$400
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
The
famous "kiwi asarum" so-called in Japan because the interior of the
flower has the spoke pattern on a kiwi fruit cut cross-wise. Long evergreen
arrowhead-shaped leaves to 6" long, often patterned. From SW China. |
| Asarum
caulescens |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 4-8 |
Fall 2003 |
US$113
|
US$200
|
US$350
|
US$1,500
|
N/A
|
 |
It's
not easy being deciduous, but this charming Japanese woodlander belongs
in every shade garden. Pairs of dainty heart-shaped 2-to 3-inch long
leaves, with deeply impressed patterns of venation. Pretty nodding rose-pink
flowers. Small enough for a trough. Elegant groundcover for small bulbs
such as trout lilies |
| Asarum controversum |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 7-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$188
|
US$350
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Extremely
rare evergreen species from a small island near Nagasaki, Japan, with
patterned leaves with impressed veins and "Dutchman's pipe" flowers.
Related to A. asperum.
|
| Asarum costatum |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 7-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$138
|
US$250
|
US$450
|
US$2,000
|
N/A
|
| |
Rare
clumping species from Shikoku Island. Shiny, evergreen, variously patterned
leaves to 5" long. Two-tone "Dutchman's pipe" flowers. Good for Southeast
gardens. |
| Asarum dimidiatum |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 4-8 |
Fall 2003 |
US$113
|
US$200
|
US$350
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Rarely
seen clumping deciduous Japanese species with bright green leaves and
dark purple, nearly black flowers.
|
| Asarum fauriei |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 5-8 |
Fall 2003 |
US$138
|
US$250
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Evergreen
creeping species from northern Japan with dark green unmarked leaves.
Nice small-scale groundcover.
|
| Asarum fudsinoi |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 8-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$138
|
US$250
|
US$450
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Rare
evergreen species from several islands in the Ryukyus. The most variable
species in Japan, hard to characterize. Medium to very large clumper
with small to very large flowers. Leaves usually unmarked, but often
6" to 8" long. Dramatic pot plant.
|
| Asarum hexalobum |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 6-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$138
|
US$250
|
US$450
|
US$2,000
|
US$3,500
|
| |
Widespread
Japanese evergreen clumping species with leaves to 5" long. Gorgeous
matte- surfaced leaves, either unmarked or with a wide variety of silver
and gray markings. "Dutchman's pipe" flowers. Exceptional garden plant.
|
| Asarum hirsutisepalum |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 7-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$150
|
US$275
|
US$500
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Robust
Japanese species from Yakushima. Evergreen clumper with 6" long, thick
glossy dark green leaves with a rubbery feel. Large yellowish flowers
covered with purple plush in spring.
|
| Asarum ikegamii |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 5-8 |
Fall 2003 |
US$150
|
US$275
|
US$500
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Semi-running
evergreen species from northern Japan, with dark green, leathery, fairly
glossy leaves, usually not patterned. One of the best cold-climate asarums,
rarely offered.
|
| Asarum kiushianum |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 7-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$125
|
US$225
|
US$400
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Clumping
evergreen species from Kyushu, Japan. Leaves are about 3" long, usually
patterned. Three-lobed flowers are brownish-purple
|
| Asarum kiushianum var.tubulosum |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 7-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$175
|
US$325
|
US$600
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Very
rare variation of above. Clump-former with narrow, evergreen, matte-finish,
dark green or patterned leaves. Startling cafe-au-lait to pure white
flowers in spring.
|
| Asarum kooyanum |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 6-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$125
|
US$225
|
US$400
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Rarely-seen
evergreen species from central Honshu. Related to A. nipponicum. Clump-forming,
with green or occasionally patterned foliage. Good garden plant. |
| Asarum kumageanum |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 6b-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$125
|
US$225
|
US$400
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Japanese
species from Yokushima (island) and nearby Tanegashima. Gorgeous glassy-shiny
evergreen foliage, unmarked or with various striking patterns. Forms
big husky clumps. Excellent garden plant.
|
| Asarum lutchuense |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 7b-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$163
|
US$300
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Another
very rare Japanese species from the island Amami Oshima. Big, husky
clumper with dark green, leathery, semi-glossy leaves to 6"+ long. |
| Asarum maculatum |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 4-8 |
Fall 2003 |
US$200
|
US$375
|
US$700
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Very
beautiful deciduous clumper from Korea. Leaves are heavily patterned
with silver. Flowers are nearly black. Good garden plant.
|
| Asarum maximum |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 7b-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$138
|
US$250
|
US$450
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Extraordinary
Chinese species called the "panda" asarum in Japan because of its 2"
wide black flowers with a contrasting pure white eye. Big, lush evergreen
leaves to 7" long form an imposing clump. Leaves are glossy and faintly
patterned. Beautiful show plant for the cold greenhouse. Fantastic garden
plant for warm temperate climates.
|
| Asarum megacalyx |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 5-8 |
Fall 2003 |
US$150
|
US$275
|
US$500
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Northern
Japanese species with wide-ranging rhizomes and glossy 3" long evergreen
leaves, dark green or patterned. Forms a beautiful groundcover in loose,
humusy soil. Large, bell- shaped nearly black flowers in fall. Excellent
garden plant.
|
| Asarum minamitanianum |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 7-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$125
|
US$225
|
US$400
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Clump-forming
Japanese species from a few sites on Kyushu Island, now nearly extinct
in the wild (no, I had nothing to do with it). Usually patterned semi-glossy
evergreen leaves, to 4" long. Amazing flowers have extended tails on
each lobe to 3" long, often with interesting color patterns. Good garden
plant, or essential cool greenhouse plant for those who enjoy horticultural
one-upspersonship.
|
| Asarum monodoraeflorum |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 8-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$275
|
US$525
|
US$1,000
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Extremely
rare species from the Japanese island lriomote in the Ryukyu chain.
Evergreen clump- former with oval leaves that seem to have been cut
from velvet, dark green or patterned. Guaranteed to annoy your overly-competitive
gardening friends.
|
| Asarum muramatsui |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 6-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$150
|
US$275
|
US$500
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Charming
clump-forming evergreen species from central Japan with glossy, usually
patterned foliage with deeply impressed veins. Flowers are miniature
copies of A. asaroides. Excellent, hardy garden plant.
|
| Asarum nipponicum |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 5b-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$125
|
US$225
|
US$400
|
US$1,750
|
N/A
|
| |
Central
Japanese evergreen species once common but now rare in the wild. Clumper
with leathery oval leaves, green or gray-green, usually patterned, to
4" long. Small brown flowers in winter. Excellent garden plant that
should be in every shade garden.
|
| NEW!Asarum
'Setsu Getsu Ka' |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 5b-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$250
|
US$475
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Medium
green leaves mottled with dark green and silver; pale green flowers.
Name means "snow moon flower." |
| Asarum rigencens |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 5b-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$125
|
US$225
|
US$400
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Remarkable
evergreen clumping species from the mountains of South Central Honshu.
The 3" long, thick, leathery leaves are glossy, with deeply impressed
veins, usually patterned. Excellent garden plant.
|
| Asarum sakawanum |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 7-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$125
|
US$225
|
US$400
|
US$1,750
|
US$3,000
|
| |
Japanese
clumping species from Shikoku Island. Glossy evergreen leaves to 5"
long, green or more often gray-green, almost always beautifully patterned
in endless variety. "Dutchman's pipe"-shaped flowers in spring. Strong
grower.
|
| NEW!Asarum
sakawanum album |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 7-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$250
|
US$475
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
As
above, but the petioles and flowers of this form are a cool, translucent
pale green, like carved jade..
|
| Asarum satsumense |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 6b-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$175
|
US$325
|
US$600
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
This
is the southern Japanese relative of A. asaroides, differing in minor
floral characteristics. Flowers are boldly ruffled and tuberculated.
Clumping species with large, usually gray-green patterned leaves. Well-adapted
to southern climates; good garden plant.
|
| Asarum sieboldii |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 3-7 |
Fall 2003 |
US$113
|
US$200
|
US$350
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Deciduous
clumping species from northeastern Asia with thin green leaves and purple
flowers. Will lose its foliage in summer in hot-summer climates. |
| Asarum splendens |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 6b-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$88
|
US$150
|
US$250
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Vigorous
running Chinese species originally introduced by the Arnold Arboretum
as A. magnificum. Large leaves boldly splashed silver. Forms large ground-cover
patches in loose humusy soil.
|
| Asarum stellatum |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 7-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$125
|
US$225
|
US$400
|
US$1,750
|
N/A
|
| |
Rare
evergreen Japanese species from a cluster of small islands near Shikoku
Island, closely related to A. sakawanum. Glossy leaves are usually peppered
with white spots, thus the name. 'Dutchman's pipe" flowers are strikingly
bi-colored. Good garden plant for the Southeast.
|
| Asarum subglobosum |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 7-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$138
|
US$250
|
US$450
|
US$2,000
|
N/A
|
| |
Rare
southern Japanese clumping species with gray-green evergreen patterned
leaves to 5" long. Beige nearly spherical flowers. Strong garden plant
for the Southeast.
|
| Asarum taitonense |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 7-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$200
|
US$375
|
US$700
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Semi-running
Taiwanese species with distinctive matte-finish evergreen leaves to
4" long, always distinctively patterned, usually a very unusual yellowish-green
with darker patterns. Sounds awful, but it is beautiful. Rare, but vigorous
grower.
|
| Asarum takaoi |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 5-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$113
|
US$200
|
US$350
|
US$1,500
|
US$2,500
|
| |
Widespread,
extremely variable Japanese species, semi-running, with oval glossy
leaves to 2" long, green or patterned. Excellent small-scale groundcover
for other woodland plants and small bulbs. Easy and vigorous. One of
the very best species for general garden use.
|
| NEW!Asarum
takaoi 'Ginba' |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 5-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$375
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Variant
with leaves completely covered with a silver wash..
|
| Asarum tamaense |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 5-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$125
|
US$225
|
US$400
|
US$1,750
|
US$3,000
|
| |
One
of the best hardy species for garden use, once fairly common but now
very rare and seldom offered for sale. Evergreen clumper with leathery,
nearly glossy leaves with deeply impressed veins, mostly patterned.
|
| Asarum unzen |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 6-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$175
|
US$325
|
US$600
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Very
rare evergreen clumping species from northern Kyushu's volcanic mountains,
with patterned evergreen leaves and flowers like a smaller version of
A. asaroides. Variable and always beautiful. |
| Asarum viridiflorum |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 6-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$188
|
US$350
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Cute
evergreen clumper from Japan, with small heart-shaped leaves and green
flowers. Similar to A. takaoi in general appearance. Leaves are nicely
patterned. Now known only in cultivation.
|
| Asarum yaeyamense |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 8-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$325
|
US$625
|
US$1,200
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Extremely
rare evergreen clumping species from the Ryukyu islands. Huge green
leaves to 8." Flowers yellow-brown or purplish-red, often bi-colored,
with soft hairs.
|
| NEW!Asarum
yoshikawae album |
Number |
25
|
50
|
100
|
500
|
1,000
|
| Zones 6-9 |
Fall 2003 |
US$1,000
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| |
Northern
Japanese relative of A. takaoi, with slightly larger leaves. Elegant
cool green flower with a white center; extremely rare.
|
