Polygonatum cryptanthum is a unique Solomon’s seal from Kyushu, Japan, whose closest cousin is the Chinese Polygonatum involucratum, with whom it’s often confused. The 2′ long deciduous stalks of Polygonatum cryptanthum arch like the Hunchback of Notre Dame, ending up less than 1′ tall. The purple-based stalks are clothed with 4″ long x 2″ wide green leaves, and adorned in mid-May (NC) with large dangling green calyces, each holding 2-3 small white flowers. The effect of the large calyces is quite unique. Polygonatum cryptanthum forms an easy-to-grow 2′ wide patch in 5years. Our clone is from Crug Farm, the UK National Collection holder of polygonatum.
