Asarum europaeum – European Wild Ginger, Asarabacca

European Wild Ginger is a uniquely dark, glossy-leaved, shade-loving perennial. An evergreen which slowly spreads by ground-level stems to form a 6″ deep, dark green carpet of heart-shaped leaves. A woodland perennial and reliable groundcover that is somewhat slow to spread. Inconspicuous rust-colored blooms appear from late spring to early summer. The real beauty of this plant is the foliage! Due to the essential oil asarone, the plant has a distinctive aroma much like Black Pepper mixed with Ginger. The plant discourages ants and deer.

Performs best in well-drained moist soils, but can tolerate some dryness when surrounded by moisture-retaining mosses or deep mulch. The plant performs best in dappled shade and does not tolerate full shade. Under ideal conditions, the plant is quick to establish. To encourage the plant to spread, make divisions from established plantings in spring. Stem and root segments are easily dug, divided, and replanted in early spring.

Consider planting under Beech trees where possible, as these plants are often found in association in their native ranges. Other companion plants we offer include Allegheny Pachysandra (Pachysandra procumbens), Ferns, Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), Purple-Flowering Raspberry (Rubus odoratus), and Black Huckleberry (Gaylussacia bacatta).

This species is toxic if ingested, therefore not edible like American Wild Ginger. The plant has well-known medicinal uses in Traditional European Herbal Medicine.