False Spikenard (Maianthemum racemosum)
Maianthemum ray-sem-OH-zum

Deciduous Perennial Upright, Arching in the Asparagaceae Family
A graceful native woodland perennial with feathery plumes of fragrant white flowers in late spring, followed by berries that ripen to bright red by late summer.
Maianthemum racemosum, also called False Spikenard or False Solomon's Seal, is a native woodland perennial found in rich, shaded habitats across most of North America, including Illinois. Unbranched, gently arching stems rise 2 to 3 feet tall from spreading rhizomes, each lined with alternate, oblong leaves. In late spring, every stem ends in a feathery, plume-like cluster of dozens of tiny, star-shaped, creamy-white flowers. The flowers give way to clusters of berries that start mottled green and copper before ripening to bright red by late summer, adding a second season of interest. Its slow-spreading, rhizomatous habit and preference for consistent moisture make it a graceful, low-maintenance companion for ferns, hostas, and other shade perennials in a woodland garden.

Pros

  • Thrives in deep to partial shade where many perennials struggle
  • Fragrant, showy spring flowers followed by ornamental red berries
  • Native to Illinois and most of North America; low-maintenance once established
  • Rarely browsed by deer or rabbits

Cons

  • Spreads by rhizomes and may need dividing to control spread
  • Resents root disturbance, especially while getting established
  • Ripe berries can act as a laxative if eaten in quantity
Why Like A true Midwest woodland native, False Spikenard is a graceful companion to ferns, trilliums, and other spring ephemerals in a shaded native garden. Its flowers support early-season pollinators, and its red berries are eaten by songbirds and small mammals, which also help disperse its seed. Because it spreads slowly and doesn't aggressively colonize, it's a well-behaved choice for restoring a woodland understory without the maintenance concerns of more aggressive native spreaders.
Highlights The plume-like clusters of fragrant, creamy-white flowers in late spring put on a two-part show, followed by berries that ripen through green, copper, and finally bright red by late summer -- giving this woodland native nearly four seasons of visual interest for very little care.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 24 - 36 inches tall. 18 - 24 inches wide.
Growth Rate Slow
Sun Exposure Partial Sun - Full Shade
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 3a - 8b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Deciduous, Full Shade, Illinois Native, Medium, Native to North America, Partial Sun, Perennial, Shade Tolerant
Bloom Period May - June
Flower Color Creamy White
 

More Info from Experts

Commonly Planted with...

Pairs naturally with ferns, hostas, Solomon's seal (Polygonatum), wild ginger, and spring ephemerals such as trillium in a shaded woodland setting.
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 05/18 - 10/04
2024 : 05/01 - 08/24
2023 : 04/13 - 08/27

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

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