code: 909
the leaflets being large and round with long, pointed tips
Family: Araliaceae
Common name: American spikenard, Life-of-man, Petty more
Plant Classification: Hardy perennial
Minimum Height: 90 cm
Maximum Height: 1.8 meters
Packet Content(approx.): 10
This tall, bushy plant, a member of the ginseng family from the United States and Canada, has large compound leaves, the leaflets being large and round with long, pointed tips. The white to pale green flowers open from June to August at the joints of the stems before the dark purple berries ripen in large clusters. The large roots are an ingredient of root beer, giving it a liquorice flavour.
Sowing advice:
For best results, sow seeds immediately onto a good soil-based compost. Cover the seeds with fine grit or compost to approximately their own depth. They can be sown at any time, and germination can sometimes be quicker if kept at 15 to 20 degrees C. However, we sow most seeds in an unheated greenhouse and wait for natural germination as many seeds have built-in dormancy mechanisms, and often wait for spring before emerging regardless of when they are sown. But spring sowing will obviously give them a full season of growth if successful germination occurs.
Information:
Spread: 3.00 to 5.00 feet
Bloom Time: June to August
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Naturalize
Flower: Showy
Tolerate: Drought
