Asarum canadense
(Canadian Snakeroot, Canadian Wild Ginger)

Origin:  Native of United States
Family:  Aristolochiaceae (Birthwort)
Light:  Part-full shade
Height:  6-12" 
Spacing:  1'
Blooms:  Foul smelling, maroon, hidden by leaves at ground level, late Winter
Foliage:  2-4", deciduous, aromatic, variegated, smoky-green, kidney-shaped, velvety
Soil:  Well-drained, highly acidic, moist
Water:  Moderate
Uses:  Groundcover, shade garden, woodland garden, mass plant
Propagation:  Rootball divisions
Caution:  Plant toxic, not edible, plant may cause skin allergy

Comments:  Asarum canadense or Canadian Snakeroot or Canadian Wild Ginger is a hardy perennial groundcover with a creeping,  rhizomatous growth habit.  It is a native of United States.  In late Winter or early Spring, Asarum canadense produces purplish-brown blossoms at ground level, often hidden by foliage.  Ground crawling insects are the main pollinators.  Canadian Snakeroot has interesting variegated, aromatic  kidney-shaped smokey-green, velvety foliage.  It is easily propagated from seeds or rootball divisions.  Canadian Wild Ginger performs best in moist, well-drained humusy soil in a shady location.   Mass plant Canadian Snakeroot as lovely groundcovers under taller trees in a woodland setting or in the shade garden.  It spreads easily from its creeping rhizomatous roots and soon forms a nice clump.  In its native habitat, Asarum canadense is often found growing wildly in moist shady woods.  The root is aromatic and smells just like ginger.  Canadian Wild Ginger roots have been very useful to earlier white settlers who used the roots as a spice for flavoring and in bakery.  The eastern Canadian Algonquin tribes have known have used it in tea to treat certain heart problems while other North American tribes used it to treat earaches from the steeped liquid.

USDA Zones:  2-8

Image of Asarum canadense or Canadian Snakeroot or Canadian Wild Ginger coming soon...