Best known for it’s use as an attractive, low-growing ground cover in a shaded woodland setting, Wild Ginger is also deer resistant! It enjoys shaded, moist, some-what acidic soils and will grow 6″ in height and the large heart-shaped leaves can be 6″ in diameter. The leaves are shiny when fully opened and the stems are hairy. Unlike many early spring woodland plants, the Wild Ginger will keep its foliage throughout the season; it will not go dormant so it is a good species to plant amongst the spring ephemerals that do go dormant.

An attractive dark red flower will appear under the plant early spring but will fade fairly quickly.

Distribution of Wild Ginger is quite common in the US, including the Midwest and Northeastern states and south to Louisiana.

Although unpalatable to deer and other mammals, it is an important food source for the Pipevine swallowtail Butterfly. Many insects are attracted to Asarum canadense, including ants which are believed to pollinate the plant.

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