Asarum | Heijnen Plants

15cm

Asarum europaeum Asarabacca

5-10cm

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Asarum, commonly known as wild ginger, is a genus of low-growing, evergreen perennials that enchant with their unique, mat-forming growth habit and subtle beauty. Asarum species are known for their resilience and adaptability, thriving in the dappled light of partial to full shade. With origins stretching from Europe to Siberia, this robust genus has made a name for itself as an excellent ground cover, especially valued for its year-round verdant foliage.

Key Features

The Asarum genus is distinguished by several key characteristics:

Evergreen Nature: The foliage of Asarum retains its vibrant green hue throughout the seasons, providing a constant backdrop of color in your garden.
Flowering: In the months of April and May, Asarum reveals its hidden treasures with small, intriguing blooms in shades of brown and red, often nestled close to the ground amidst the leaves.
Growth Habit: With a mat-forming growth manner, Asarum creates a lush carpet that can reach an ultimate height of approximately 15 cm, making it ideal for bordering and edge plantings.
Versatility: Asarum is not particularly demanding regarding soil types, provided the soil is well-drained. This allows for a broad range of planting scenarios, including group and sub-plantings.
Maintenance: This genus is appreciated for its low-maintenance nature, requiring no pruning and only average water needs.

Tips

Cultivating Asarum can be a rewarding experience with the right care:

Planting Location: To ensure the health and vitality of Asarum, choose locations that offer partial to full shade. This mimics the plant's natural understory habitat and protects it from the stress of direct sunlight.
Watering: Regular watering will help Asarum thrive, but take care not to overwater, as it prefers a balance of moisture without becoming waterlogged.
Propagation: Multiplying Asarum can easily be done by division, which not only propagates your plants but also promotes their health. Spring or autumn is the ideal time for this task.
Soil Consideration: Although Asarum is undemanding in terms of soil types, ensure that the soil is well-drained to prevent root rot.
No-Drought Plant: As Asarum is not drought-resistant, consistent watering during dry periods will keep this plant lush and thriving.

By incorporating Asarum into your garden, you will add a layer of understated elegance and year-round greenery that is both timeless and easy to maintain.

Types

Imbue your garden with the subtle charm of Asarum europaeum, commonly known as wild ginger. This understated beauty thrives in the dappled shade, offering a lush carpet of heart-shaped leaves. Its secretive, bell-shaped flowers, hiding beneath the foliage, add a touch of mystery, while its presence can transform your garden into a serene woodland retreat.

The Asarum europaeum, commonly known as asarabacca or foalfoot, is a charming ground cover plant native to the lush forests of Europe extending to Siberia. With its heart-shaped leaves and unusual brown to red flowers, Asarum europaeum graces gardens with its understated beauty during the flowering months of April and May. Its resilience and unique aesthetic make it a valuable addition to the shade garden, offering a continuous carpet of green throughout the year.

Ideal placement of a Asarum

Asarum thrives best in locations that offer partial to full shade, mimicking its natural habitat beneath forest canopies. These conditions are essential for maintaining the vibrant green of its evergreen foliage throughout the seasons. The soil should be well-drained, yet the plant has the versatility to adapt to a variety of soil types. It's important to ensure that the ground remains consistently moist, as the species does not tolerate drought well. A sheltered spot will help in protecting its low-growing, mat-forming foliage from harsh environmental elements.

Planting a Asarum

To plant Asarum successfully, choose a location that offers partial to full shade, mimicking its natural habitat beneath forest canopies. This plant thrives in a variety of well-drained soils. When planting, ensure that the pots are spaced sufficiently to allow for the spreading, mat-forming growth habit. Initial regular watering will help establish the plant; however, once settled, it will require only an average amount of water. Spring or autumn is the optimal time for planting or propagating Asarum by division, which not only stimulates new growth but also maintains the plant's vigor.

Fertilising a Asarum

To ensure the lush, evergreen foliage of Asarum thrives, proper nutrition is paramount. The ideal fertilizing schedule involves enriching the soil around the plants with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer early in the growing season. Apply the fertilizer in the spring, as new growth appears, to support the development of the heart-shaped leaves and understated flowers.

Given Asarum's preference for consistently moist, well-drained soil, be careful not to over-fertilize, which can lead to excessive growth at the expense of the plant's overall health. A single application of fertilizer each year is typically sufficient. After fertilizing, water the soil thoroughly to help disperse the nutrients around the root zone, ensuring they are readily available to the plant. Remember, a modest approach to fertilization is often best with Asarum, allowing it to flourish naturally in its shaded habitat.

Pruning a Asarum

Pruning for Asarum is generally unnecessary due to its evergreen and mat-forming growth habit, which maintains a tidy appearance year-round. If desired, one can gently remove any damaged or yellowing leaves to encourage fresh, healthy foliage. This minimal maintenance will help preserve the plant's lush, green carpet-like display throughout all seasons. It's important to avoid cutting back the plant significantly, as it does not require regular pruning to thrive in its preferred shady environments.

Watering a Asarum

To maintain the vitality of Asarum, ensure it receives consistent moisture, particularly in the warmer months of the year. Although it has an average water need, this species does not tolerate drought well and therefore, the soil should never be allowed to dry out completely. Watering should be done carefully to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged, promoting a healthy mat-forming growth. The evergreen foliage will remain lush when the plant is adequately hydrated. During periods of extreme heat or extended dry spells, extra watering may be necessary to sustain its vibrant green leaves.

The characteristics of a Asarum

The Asarum species, with its heart-shaped leaves, is a charming understory perennial that thrives in the dappled light of woodland settings. Its discreet, cup-shaped flowers are a hidden treasure, often nestled beneath the foliage, offering a subtle yet enchanting aspect to its appearance. When situated in a pot, ensure adequate space for its rhizomatous roots to spread, which allows this plant to form a lush and verdant ground cover.

Separating/dividing a Asarum

To propagate Asarum effectively, division is a recommended method that promotes healthy growth. Ideally, undertake this task in the cooler periods of spring or autumn. Carefully remove the evergreen from the soil, ensuring to maintain the integrity of the root ball. Then, gently separate the plant into smaller sections, each with an adequate amount of roots and shoots. Replant these divisions promptly into well-draining soil, spacing them appropriately to accommodate their mat-forming habit. This process not only rejuvenates the plant but also facilitates the spread of its lush, green foliage throughout the garden.

The ideal variety for you Buy asarum

The Asarum species, with its lush, heart-shaped leaves and enchanting, hidden flowers, is a captivating ground cover that brings an element of serene beauty to any garden. Its resilience and low-maintenance nature make it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking an understated yet elegant touch to their landscape.

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