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Maianthemum racemosum (American spikenard)

Other names: Solomon's zigzag , Treacleberry, Wild spikenard , Fat solomon, Western solomon's seal , Smilacina racemosa, False spikenard, False Solomon's seal, Large false Solomon's seal, Solomon's plume

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Species
M. racemosum is a clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial with arching stems bearing narrow, ovate, pointed, mid-green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Terminal panicles of strongly fragrant, white to creamy-white flowers in spring are sometimes followed by green fruit that ripen red.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
0.9 m 0.6 m 2-5 years
2 ft 1 ft 2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
  • Full Shade
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • North
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Plant in moderately fertile, humus-rich, neutral to acid, moist but well-drained soil in partial or full shade. Shelter from cold, drying winds.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Underplanting, Woodland

UK hardiness

H6

USDA zones

Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7

Sunset zone

4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 1, 2

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Moderate/Medium
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Moderate/Medium
South Inland = Inappropriate
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Clump-forming, Arching

Native to

North America

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Propagation methods

Seed, Division

Pests

Generally pest free.

Diseases

Generally disease free.

Cut plants to ground level (optional)

Divide and replant in spring

Plant in moist, lime free, well-drained soil

Plant in moist but well-drained soil (autumn or spring)

Plant in partial or full shade (autumn or spring)

Sow seeds in a cold frame in autumn

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (12)

Maianthemum

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Maianthemum stellatum
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Maianthemum stellatum Star-flowered lily of the valley
Maianthemum racemosum
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Maianthemum racemosum American spikenard
Maianthemum oleraceum
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Maianthemum oleraceum Chinese false Solomon's seal
Maianthemum bifolium
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Maianthemum bifolium False lily of the valley
Maianthemum paniculatum
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Maianthemum paniculatum Chinese false Solomon's seal
Maianthemum aff. salvinii
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Maianthemum aff. salvinii False Solomon's seal
Maianthemum racemosum subsp. amplexicaule 'Emily Moody'
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Maianthemum racemosum subsp. amplexicaule 'Emily Moody' False spikenard 'Emily Moody'
Maianthemum canadense
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Maianthemum canadense Canadian mayflower
Maianthemum fuscum
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Maianthemum fuscum Himalayan false Solomon's Seal
Maianthemum tatsienense
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Maianthemum tatsienense Chinese false Solomon's Seal
Maianthemum tatsienense dark-stemmed
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Maianthemum tatsienense dark-stemmed Chinese false Solomon's Seal dark-stemmed
Maianthemum flexuosum
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Maianthemum flexuosum Guatemalan false Solomon's seal
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Companion plants (0)

Related content

Discuss Maianthemum racemosum with other Shoot members

Re: Smilacina racemosa

Shoot User
906 0
Pardon me for picking up on ancient thread here but considering planting this and I too have heavy clay soil. Did this plant improve? did you ever work out what the shredding was? was it sawfly larvae perhaps?
Posted: Sunday 15th of September 2013 06:22 PM

Re: Smilacina racemosa

Kathy N
906 0
HI, Leigh-Ann,
Now is about the time (tho a bit on the early side) for the leaves to decline but that still doesn't explain the failure to thrive. Is your soil neutral or acid? It doesn't like alkaline soil. Did it flower this year? Can you post a photo of the leaves?
Kathy C
Posted: Tuesday 6th of September 2011 06:53 PM

Smilacina racemosa

Shoot User
906 2
I planted a strong plant earlier in the year in the right situation (shade, moist soil) - I have clay soil and it hasn't done very well. It hasn't grown and the leaves are now shredded. Is this just the end of season (I know it is deciduous)?
Posted: Friday 2nd of September 2011 06:49 PM Last reply: Tuesday 20th of August 2024 05:38 AM
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