SEED ORDERS OVER $100 SHIP FREE!
Maianthemum racemosum

Solomon's Plume

$3.00 - $20.00

Packet
$3.00
1/8 oz.
$5.00
1/4 oz.
$8.00
1/2 oz.
$13.00
1 oz.
$20.00

Bare Root Plants
Out of Stock

A very nice choice for home landscaping in shaded settings. It will spread by rhizomes, but not aggressively. It could be used as a taller ground cover as multiple arching stems 1-2' long will come from a single parent plant.

We call this widely-distributed plant Solomon's Plume, but it is equally known as False Solomon's Seal or False Spikenard.  A former latin name is Smilacina racemosa.  It is most often found in moist, rich woodlands and woodland edges, but can tolerate full sun. Its blooms actually will grow larger with more light. A cluster of star-shaped white flowers appear mid-late Spring and are pollinated by small bees and beetles.  Attractive red berries, sometimes striped brown or purple, will follow for fall interest in your garden, and food for some birds and small mammals who will help distribute the seed.

Solomon's Seal or Solomon's Plume are more suited to a small home woodland landscape, whereas the equally attractive Starry Solomon's Plume, is more aggressive and would take over a larger area in less time.

*This species may be difficult and/or slow to germinate and grow to maturity.  Please note the germination code. Seed of this species is kept under refrigeration (33-38 F) in our warehouse. The days in transit to you in colder or warmer conditions won’t harm the seed, but it should be put back in refrigeration until you are ready to plant or apply pre-sowing treatment.


Live Plant Shipping Table

Spring Fall Age/Size
Dormant Bare Roots
April/May October 1 year

Maianthemum racemosum - Solomon's Plume

Map Key

Present in state
Present but introduced in county
Present and native in county; not rare
Not present in state
Present and native in county; rare
Species extirpated (historic)
State or county listed as noxious
Present in state; exotic

This map shows the native and introduced (adventive) range of this species. Given appropriate habitat and climate, native plants can be grown outside their range.

5 Questions asked on Maianthemum racemosum

Is this plant very fragrant? I found an exceedingly fragrant cultivar in Ireland.
No, there is no noticeable floral scent.
How many years does a plant from seed take to flower?
Hi Sam. Note the germination code on this native - code F is double dormancy so it takes 2 years for the seed to germinate, if planted outdoors. From there, I would say you can expect a flower in 3-4 years. It's pretty slow-growing to start, but once you get a nice patch started, it spreads semi-aggressively by rhizomes.
Does this plant go dormant mid-summer?
Hi Matthew. No, it will stick around. The maroon berries appear late-summer while the leaves are still green. They will then turn a golden yellow early-fall before fading. This plant does have many attractive phases!
Will individuals on the edge of a planting flop over or stay erect?
Hi Anne, This plant has an arching habit that ranges from nearly vertical to nearly prostrate. It's hard to say what an individual plant will do.
I bought some of your seeds and started following the stratification instructions, but when I went to move the seeds back into the fridge for the second cold stratification period, I saw that many of the seeds had already sent out roots; many of the seeds with several roots over an inch long. So I’m wondering if I should plant them in soil inside and let them just grow or if they will still need the second cold period before they will be able to grow anything more than roots. Thank you!
How exciting, Anne! You do want to plant the rooting seeds - the roots needs the protection of the soil once they are out. Then do the second cold stratification period while the seeds are potted. Moisten but do not overwet the soil. You could set the pots or trays outdoors or in an unheated garage to experience the chilly MN as the second cold period. Let us know if you have more questions!

Seed

Growing your own plants from seed is the most economical way to add natives to your home. Before you get started, one of the most important things to know about the seeds of wild plants is that many have built-in dormancy mechanisms that prevent the seed from germinating. In nature, this prevents a population of plants from germinating all at once, before killing frosts, or in times of drought. To propagate native plants, a gardener must break this dormancy before seed will grow.

Each species is different, so be sure to check the GERMINATION CODE listed on the website, in the catalog, or on your seed packet. Then, follow the GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS prior to planting. Some species don't need any pre-treatment to germinate, but some species have dormancy mechanisms that must be broken before the seed will germinate. Some dormancy can be broken in a few minutes, but some species take months or even years.

Seed dormancy can be broken artificially by prolonged refrigeration of damp seed in the process of cold/moist STRATIFICATION. A less complicated approach is to let nature handle the stratifying through a dormant seeding, sowing seeds on the surface of a weed-free site in late fall or winter. Tucked safely beneath the snow, seeds will be conditioned by weathering to make germination possible in subsequent growing seasons.

To learn more, read our BLOG: How to Germinate Native Seeds

Dormant Bare Root Plants

We dig plants when they are dormant from our outdoor beds and ship them April-May and October. Some species go dormant in the summer and we can ship them July/August. We are among the few still employing this production method, which is labor intensive but plant-friendly. They arrive to you dormant, with little to no top-growth (bare-root), packed in peat moss. They should be planted as soon as possible. Unlike greenhouse-grown plants, bare-root plants can be planted during cold weather or anytime the soil is not frozen. A root photo is included with each species to illustrate the optimal depth and orientation. Planting instructions/care are also included with each order.

Download: Installing Your Bare-Root Plants

Potted Plants

3-packs and trays of 32, 38, or 50 plants leave our Midwest greenhouses based on species readiness (being well-rooted for transit) and order date; Spring shipping is typically early May through June, and Fall shipping is mid-August through September. Potted 3-packs and trays of 38 plugs are started from seed in the winter so are typically 3-4 months old when they ship. Trays of 32/50 plugs are usually overwintered so are 1 year old. Plant tray cells are approximately 2” wide x 5” deep in the trays of 38 and 50, and 2.5" wide x 3.5" deep in the 3-packs and trays of 32; ideal for deep-rooted natives. Full-color tags and planting & care instructions are included with each order.

Download: Planting and Care of Potted Plants

*PLEASE NOTE: we are a mail order nursery and have no retail facilities, but you may pick up your order if prior arrangements are made. Pick up orders are subject to **MN Sales Tax.

Shipping & Handling Charges

SEED $100.00 and under: $5.00
Retail SEED orders over $100.00 ship free!

Custom seed mixes or discounted seed sales over $100, add 5% of the total seed cost
(for orders over $1,000 a package signature may be required)

BARE ROOT and POTTED PLANTS $50.00 and under: $9.00
over $50.00: 18% of the total plant cost. (For orders over $1,000 a package signature may be required.)

TOOLS and BOOKS have the shipping fee included in the cost of the product (within the contiguous US).

**We are required to collect state sales tax in certain states. Your state's eligibility and % will be calculated at checkout. MN State Sales Tax of 7.375% is applied for orders picked up at our MN location. Shipping & handling charges are also subject to the sales tax.

Shipping Season

SEED, TOOLS and BOOKS are sent year-round. Most orders ship within 1-3 business days.

BARE ROOT PLANTS are shipped during optimal transplanting time: Spring (April-May) and Fall (Oct). Some ephemeral species are also available for summer shipping. Since our plants are field-grown, Nature sets the schedule each year as to when our season will begin and end. We fill all orders, on a first-come, first-serve basis, to the best of our ability depending on weather conditions beyond our control.

POTTED PLANTS (Trays of 32/38/50 plugs and 3-packs) typically begin shipping early May and go into June; shipping time is heavily dependent on all the species in your order being well-rooted. If winter-spring greenhouse growing conditions are favorable and all species are well-rooted at once, then we ship by order date (first come, first serve). We are a Midwest greenhouse, and due to the challenges of getting all the species in the Mix & Match and Pre-Designed Garden Kits transit-ready at the same time, we typically can't ship before early May. Earlier shipment requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

*We are unable to ship PLANTS (bare root or potted) outside the contiguous US or to CALIFORNIA due to regulations.

Delivery

We ship using USPS, UPS and Spee Dee. UPS and Spee Dee are often used for expediting plant orders; they will not deliver to Post Office Box numbers, so please also include your street address if ordering plants. We send tracking numbers to your email address so please include it when you order.

FOR MORE DETAILED SHIPPING INFORMATION, INCLUDING CANADA SHIPPING RATES (SEED ONLY), PLEASE SEE 'SHIPPING' AT THE FOOTER OF THIS WEBSITE.

Details

Seeds/Packet
20
Seeds/Ounce
400
Germination Code
F
L
Life Cycle
Perennial
Sun Exposure
Full, Partial, Shade
Soil Moisture
Medium-Wet, Medium, Medium-Dry, Dry
Height
2 feet
Bloom Time
April, May, June
Bloom Color
White
Advantages
Deer Resistant
Highly recommended for home landscaping
USDA Zones
3-8
Plant Spacing
8-12"
Catalog Code
SMI02F