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Herbaceous

Solomon's Seal

Polygonatum biflorum

Perennial with edible young shoots (cooked), roots (historical). Excellent native for shady food forest areas in Oklahoma; very low maintenance

NativeEdibleMedicinal
At a Glance

What to know before finding it a place.

SunPart shade + Shade
WaterMedium water
System layerHerbaceous
Plant typePerennial
Plant spacing12-18 in apart
Mature size2-3 ft / spreading
Chill hours0-500
Soil pH5.5-7.0
HarvestMar–Apr (shoots); Sep–Oct (berries)
Expected yieldYoung shoots + berries
TrellisNo
Central Oklahoma

Growing notes for our conditions.

Regional fit still depends on the actual site—especially drainage, exposure, irrigation, soil and the specific cultivar selected.

Oklahoma notes

Excellent native for shady food forest areas in Oklahoma; very low maintenance

Disease resistance

Excellent; virtually no issues

Pruning

Allow to naturalize; divide every 4-5 years

Care

Young shoots cooked like asparagus; excellent shade native; beautiful in bloom

Drought tolerance

Moderate; consistent moisture improves performance

Pollination & Production

Plan the partners before planting the tree.

Pollination reference

For fruiting plants, compatible bloom timing and nearby partners can matter as much as the cultivar itself.

PollinationSelf-fertile
Compatible partners–
Variety Selection

The cultivar can matter as much as the species.

These references help narrow the large number of named varieties to options better aligned with Zone 7A conditions, disease pressure and useful harvest windows.

Zone 7A Recommended Varieties

Native Solomon's SealGreat Solomon's Seal (P. commutatum)Variegated

These are recommendations carried in the Organix Zone 7A reference database. They are not automatically the same as a cultivar personally proven by Organix on every site; site conditions and availability still matter.

Landscape Role

How this plant can function in a larger system.

Landscape functions

Edible (limited); Attractor; Medicinal

Edible parts

Young shoots (cooked), Roots (historical)

Companion plants

Pawpaw, Wild Ginger, Spicebush

Community / companion role

Pollination: Self-fertile; Companions: Pawpaw, Wild Ginger, Spicebush

Food-forest layer

Herbaceous

Oklahoma classification

Primary

Soil, Fertility & Care

Support the plant without overcomplicating the system.

Soil preferences

Preferred pH 5.5-7.0

KNF / fertility schedule

Minimal

Maintenance

Allow to naturalize; divide every 4-5 years

Use this as a planning reference.

Plant performance varies with microclimate, soil, drainage, water, maintenance and cultivar. Organix uses the library to narrow good candidates, then makes final selections around the actual site.

Edible and medicinal tags describe traditional or practical plant uses in the landscape and are not medical advice. Always verify identification, preparation and individual suitability before consuming a plant.