Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy
Asarum europaeum is a strange, yet interesting creeping perennial, perfect for growing as groundcover in shady spots in rock or woodland gardens. It has dark green, kidney-shaped leaves among which solitary, purple-brown, drooping, bell-shaped flowers appear in summer. The plant was once grown for its purgative and emetic properties and also used as an ingredient in snuff. Its roots have a sweet fragrance, which gave it its common name of hardy ginger.
Grow Asarum europaeum in moist, humus-rich soil in cool or partial shade.
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Asarum ‘Europaeum’ and wildlife
Asarum ‘Europaeum’ has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.