woodland wildflower
Western Wild Ginger
Asarum caudatum
Also known as British Columbia Wild Ginger, Long-tail Wild Ginger, British Columbia wildginger
Native to California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington and southern Canada
California Coast Ranges from Santa Cruz Mountains, north to British Columbia and northwestern Montana
- Light Full shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 4–10 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Mar–Jul Flowering time
- Height up to 10 in to 25 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for full shade and evenly moist soil. Its yellow flowers peak in May. At up to 10 in, it tucks into shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 4–10.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Western Wild Ginger's yellow flowers bloom March to July, peaking in May. It's a late-spring display.
Western Wild Ginger blooms yellow, green, purple & brownFoliage
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington and southern CanadaUnited States (5): CA, ID, MT, OR, WA. Canada (1): BC. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- California Coast Ranges from Santa Cruz Mountains, north to British Columbia and northwestern MontanaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–10 · Canadian 1–9The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Moist, rich soilThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Acid to neutralThe 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 10 in (to 25 cm)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~1 ft (0.3 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
- RapidA 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
- Mar–JulWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Yellow, Green, Purple, BrownThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Mar–AugThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.