Polygonatum 'Prince Charming' is a compact selection of Solomon's Seal prized for its upright habit and elegant arching stems bearing nodding white bell shaped flowers in spring. Its rich green foliage remains tidy and uniform transitioning to buttery yellow in fall. This cultivar is excellent for gardeners seeking a bold textural element in shade gardens and its rhizomatous root system allows it to naturalize gently over time.
Height & Spread: 10 - 14 in x 12 - 18 in
Bloom Time: Mid to late spring
Light Requirements: Part shade to full shade
Soil Preference: Rich, organic, moist but well drained soil
Watering Needs: Moderate; benefits from regular moisture in dry periods
Deer Resistance: Deer resistant
Native Status
This cultivar is a refined form of North American native Solomon’s Seal. Though selected for ornamental use, it maintains the ecological benefits of its wild relatives.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Bees
- Visited by native bumblebees and solitary bees that access the pendant flowers for nectar and pollen.
Butterflies
- Attracts spring flying butterflies such as Spring Azure and Eastern Comma which use the early nectar source as part of their foraging path.
Moths
- Supports the larvae of moths including the Solomon's Seal Moth and Smooth Solomon’s Seal Borer.
Birds
- Produces small blue black berries in late summer that are eaten by songbirds including thrushes and catbirds while the foliage offers cover.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space 12 - 18 in apart to allow slow spreading into a soft cohesive ground layer over time.
Landscape Placement:
- Use in shaded borders, woodland gardens, underplantings, or along shaded paths where its form and foliage can stand out among finer textures.
Companion Plants
- Asarum canadense (Wild Ginger) - Provides a low dense carpet of heart shaped foliage beneath the upright structure of Solomon’s Seal.
- Tiarella cordifolia (Foamflower) - Adds frothy spring blooms and foliage patterns that complement the tidy leaves of 'Prince Charming.'
- Stylophorum diphyllum (Wood Poppy) - Offers golden blooms and blue green leaves that contrast nicely with the clean green stems of Polygonatum.
- Heuchera villosa 'Autumn Bride' (Coral Bells) - A bold upright companion with soft green leaves and ivory flower wands that echo the arching bells of Solomon’s Seal.
- Arisaema triphyllum (Jack in the Pulpit) - Adds architectural drama and thrives in the same shaded organic soils.