Well, I only have one mislabelled species of (true) solomon's seal (just a few inches tall - I've never figured out what it is), but, from googling around, it appears that Polygonatum biflorum is one of the native species in Wisconsin...possibly the one you have growing around your property?

Seems to me like a much better-than-even-odds bet that the variegated selection of same (Polygonatum biflorum 'Variegatum') should be hardy there... notwithstanding that variegated and oddly-colored forms tend to be a little less tough than normally-colored forms.

I've never really gotten going on solomon's seals - due to a probably exaggerated notion of their invasiveness. Hmmm, I'll have to do something about that...LOL!

The variegated Solomon's seals should have no problem with hardiness in your area. Polygonatum biflorum 'Variegatum' as Lori suggested would be fine. Also, P. odoratum 'Variegatum' which seems to be frequently listed as P.falcatum 'Variegatum'. The later (under either name) is more readily available.

I grow the variegated types and no problem with surviving the winters (normally plenty of stretches in the -40F/C ranges.) However, they do not multiple well and certainly are not even remotely invasive in my yard. Here, even our native species are very, very slow multipliers. I have a couple of different species, including Giant Solomon Seal, which have remained as one stem for years. Should do better in northern Wisconsin.
Jan

Thanks for the info, Jan! Ahh, another genus to explore! What species is 'Giant Solomon's Seal' and how tall has it gotten for you?

This spring I'll be getting P. prattii, P. cirrhifolium and P. kingianum. Hopefully, something will take in zone 4.

stumpie, I have two LARGE clumps of variegated Solomon's seals. These had been slow to establish and spread, but now the clumps are a good two feet across! I find them to be most attractive! If you lived closer, I'd say come over and dig!

BUT ... my favorite has to be the false Solomon's seal! This sturdy herbaceous perennial develops into dramatic clumps with large terminal and very fragrant flower heads, which are made up of many tiny flowers ... later attractive red berries develop. I've made a very NICE selection that has foliage with wavy leaf margins. Email me if you'd like to see a photo.

Terry

Lori - are you going to make me get scientific here? LOL.
P. commutatum 'Giganteum'. I think another common name would be Great Solomon seal - Polygonatum commutatum.
Some sources say synomyns are P. commutatus, P. biflorum var. commutatum and P. canaliculatum.

If I stretched the one I have straight up it would be about about 5 feet(1.5 meters)....but it starts arching over at about 3 feet(a tad under a meter). I suspect it would grow taller in a warmer climate.

Terry - I envy your 'spreading' variegated Solomon's seal. Mine are all sited well and get ample water....they just don't multiple.

Rick - Have you been in the Heronswood catalog again? What did I tell you about staying away from there! :)
Seriously, nice choices. P. sibericum is seriously tempting me.

Jan

Thanks again for the info, Jan! Wow, a 5 foot solomon's seal - must be magnificent! Puts me in mind of something from The Land that Time Forgot, LOL!

Well, it's obvious I need to add some solomon's seals to my already multi-page spring plant order!! Hmm, maybe I'll start with a shoo-in like P. odoratum 'Variegatum'...then maybe add experimentals with P. tenuicale (fragrant and only $4 each), and maybe P. humile, a dwarf form with pink flowers. I'll have to think where I could put great solomon's seal...surely DH wouldn't miss those one of those silly trees he seems to have planted everywhere...

I'm sorely tempted by many things in the Heronswood catalogue too....my enthusiasm might even stand the $50 US phyto fee... but the part about orders potentially being held up 2-10 days at the border is rather off-putting.
Rick, P. kingianum is the only one of yours I can even find a picture of! Very interesting with the orange flowers...

And Terry, just post the picture - don't make me beg, LOL!

Here is a link that might be useful: More polygonatum...

abgardeneer, I've never been able to get the knack of posting photos here ... sorry, about that! But, do drop me a line if you'd like to have a peek at one very lovely plant. It might have you wanting to drive up here with shovel in hand!

Terry

I remember seeing some HUGE Great Solomon's Seal while driving in central Wisconsin. They were at least 6ft high, even with the curving over. Just looked up in Fasset's book to see what species WI has, and it is P. biflorum. Plants .6-2m high according to him! Those that I saw were in full sun.

Well Jan . . . er . . a . . . Heronswood? No. They are coming directly from China. Really! Someone I met through GW offered to include me in her order. I am so excited! And actually, of P. kingianum, I should be getting red flowering and pink flowering. I know the probability of mislabelling and tiny plants are much higher, but ask me if I care! Photos are on the Chen Yi Nursery site if you're interested.

Oh man, I can't stop smiling again.
Rick

Here is a link that might be useful: Chen Yi

Should have known you wouldn't walk the common road, Rick.
Interesting site and the prices are incredibly low. What a deal! Did you notice that they give a 10% discount on orders over $6000.00?

Lori - I noticed Fraser's has P. sibericum. Supposedly that grows to 8 feet. Maybe only in the PNW?
Jan

Terry, those false Soloman's seal you had sent me have now developed into large sizeable clumps! The beautiful wavy foliage is truly outstanding and the fragrance of the flowers is delightful! These I have situated near the north entrance of my home for all who visit to enjoy. Everyone comments on these beautiful plants and I have a long list of people awaiting divisions! Thanks for discovering and cultivating this most worthy of selection! It's my number one favorite shade plant!

Mark