woodland wildflower
Canadian wildginger
Asarum canadense
Also known as Canadian Wild Ginger, Wild Ginger
1 of 2Native to much of the USA and southern Canada
Quebec and New Brunswick to Ontario and Minnesota, south to Florida and Louisiana. Eastern North America, Zones 3 to 7
- Light Part shade to shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 3–8 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–May Flowering time
- Height up to 8 in to 20 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for part to full shade and evenly moist soil. Its red flowers peak in April. At up to 8 in, it tucks into shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 3–8.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Canadian wildginger's red flowers bloom April to May, peaking in April. It's an early-spring ephemeral.
Canadian wildginger blooms red, green, purple & brownFoliage
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Much of the USA and southern CanadaUnited States (33): AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV. Canada (3): NB, ON, QC. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Quebec and New Brunswick to Ontario and Minnesota, south to Florida and Louisiana. Eastern North America, Zones 3 to 7The same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Part shade to shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–8 · Canadian 3–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Moist, rich soils. pH of 6 to 7 bestThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Water use
- MediumHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 8 in (to 20 cm)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~2 ft (0.5 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- SlowA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Apr–MayWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Red, Green, Purple, BrownThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Mar–JunThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.