Guide to growing False Spikenard - Smilacina

Members of the Smilacina genus are hardy perennials that range from 30 to 90cm in height.

Smilacina blooms at the start of summer.

It has a light green foliage and carries a fir tree shaped cluster of tiny feathery pink or white flowers.

Some common names for Smilacina include False Spikenard and false Solomon's seal.

How to grow False Spikenard

When growing from seed it is best to sow Smilacina species such as False Spikenard and false Solomon's seal in flats using fresh seed in the autumn. The seeds should be lightly covers and the flats sunk into a shady part of the garden and covered with glass. The seeds can take anything from one to six months to germinate, and should be left in situ for about a year once growing. The false spikenard plants can then be transplanted to their final location in either spring or autumn. They should be spaced from 45 to 60cm apart in a fully or partially shaded part of the garden. Ideally the soil that Smilacina species grow in will be rich and acidic (pH 5 to 6) and moist.

Caring for False Spikenard

It is fairly easy to look after Smilacina species such as False Spikenard and False Solomon's seal. At the start of spring they should be mulched with leaf mold and given a fertilizer. During the growing season they should be watered to keep the ground moist. Towards the end of autumn cut the plants back to the ground. If you require more Smilacina plants then they can be popagated by division in either spring or autumn.