Sign In 
Get Premium Hartweg’s Wild Ginger
(Asarum hartwegii)
Hartweg’s Wild Ginger (Asarum hartwegii)
/
/
John Rusk
CC BY 2.0
Image By:
John Rusk
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: John Rusk | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ | Uploader: John Rusk | Publisher: Flickr
Estimated Native Range
Climate Requirements
| • Precipitation | 38" - 46" |
| • High Temp. | 79°F - 90°F |
| • Low Temp. | 23°F - 33°F |
Summary
Asarum hartwegii, commonly known as Hartweg’s Wild Ginger, is an evergreen perennial herb native to the understory of mixed conifer and deciduous forests in the mountainous regions of California and southwestern Oregon. It typically forms a low-growing clump reaching 6 to 12 inches in height. The plant is characterized by its heart-shaped to round leaves that are dark green with intricate white veining and a velvety texture due to the presence of curved hairs. Hartweg’s Wild Ginger blooms in early spring, producing an unusual flower near the ground on a short peduncle. The flower lacks true petals but has three curving, hairy sepals that are brownish or maroon on the outside and whitish with red stripes on the inside. The fruit is a fleshy capsule filled with seeds, though it is not commonly seen in cultivation.
Hartweg’s Wild Ginger is valued for its attractive foliage and its ability to thrive in shady conditions, making it an excellent ground cover for woodland gardens and shaded borders. It is also used in naturalistic plantings and as an understory plant in forest gardens. This plant prefers consistently moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter and does best in part shade to full shade. While it is generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to slug and snail damage. Hartweg’s Wild Ginger is not known for aggressive roots or serious disease problems, but it should be monitored for pests. It is not considered invasive when grown outside its native range.CC BY-SA 4.0
Hartweg’s Wild Ginger is valued for its attractive foliage and its ability to thrive in shady conditions, making it an excellent ground cover for woodland gardens and shaded borders. It is also used in naturalistic plantings and as an understory plant in forest gardens. This plant prefers consistently moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter and does best in part shade to full shade. While it is generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to slug and snail damage. Hartweg’s Wild Ginger is not known for aggressive roots or serious disease problems, but it should be monitored for pests. It is not considered invasive when grown outside its native range.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 0.2-0.5 feet
- Width: 3-4 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Flower Color: Brown, White, Purple, Red
- Flowering Season: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Butterfly Garden, Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant
Natural Habitat
Mixed conifer and deciduous forests in the mountainous regions of California and southwestern Oregon
Other Names
Common Names: Hartweg’s Wildginger
Scientific Names: Asarum hartwegii, Asarum majus, Asarum trimorphum, Asarum hookeri var. majus
GBIF Accepted Name: Asarum hartwegii S.Watson