Asarum canadense is a low growing native woodland ground cover with velvety heart shaped leaves that slowly spread to form a dense mat. Hidden beneath the foliage in spring are curious maroon brown flowers pollinated by ants and beetles. The foliage was once used as a culinary ginger substitute though it should not be ingested due to its toxicity.
Height & Spread: 4 - 6 in x 12 - 18 in
Bloom Time: Spring
Light Requirements: Full shade to part shade
Soil Preference: Moist, humus rich forest soils
Watering Needs: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture
Deer Resistance: Deer and rabbit resistant
Native Status
This species is native to eastern North America and occurs naturally in deciduous forests, woodland edges, and shady slopes.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Moths
- Host plant for wild ginger moths and other shade tolerant noctuid moths that lay eggs at the base of the foliage.
Bees
- Pollinated by ground dwelling solitary bees and beetles that navigate through the dense leaf layer to reach the hidden flowers.
Beneficial Insects
- Dense foliage offers refuge to predatory beetles and springtail hunting insects that help regulate soil level pests.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space 12 - 18 in apart to allow slow spreading into a continuous shade cover over time.
Landscape Placement:
- Well suited to shaded woodland paths, underplanting native shrubs, or naturalized forest plantings where an attractive native carpet is needed.
Companion Plants
- Carex plantaginea (Seersucker Sedge) - Adds broad textured leaves and similar growth rate in shaded soil conditions.
- Phlox stolonifera (Creeping Phlox) - Offers low flowering color while coexisting well in native forest understory.
- Heuchera americana (Coral Bells) - Provides foliage variety and early blooms in similar part shade areas.
- Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas Fern) - Brings evergreen structure and contrast in leaf texture throughout the year.
- Uvularia grandiflora (Large Flowered Bellwort) - Offers nodding yellow flowers above the dense carpet of Asarum in spring.