PL. —Polygonatum odoratum 'Flore Pleno'Botanical illustration — drop image
Polygonatum odoratum 'Flore Pleno'

Solomon's Seal 'Flore Pleno'

Spring
3a8bHardiness zone
Peak bloom windowZone 6b · frost-offset weeks
Winter
In bloom
Spring
Peak bloom
Summer
Not in bloom
Fall
Not in bloom
Peak bloom
In bloom
Background

Polygonatum odoratum 'Flore Pleno' is a rare double-flowered form of fragrant Solomon's seal (odoratum meaning sweet-scented), a genuine sport where each pendulous bell carries extra petal-like segments instead of the plain single bell typical of the genus — a true double is unusual enough in Solomon's seal that this cultivar is prized by collectors on that trait alone. The lightly perfumed flowers hang in pairs beneath gracefully arching stems in spring, on a plant that stays noticeably more compact than Polygonatum multiflorum or the hybrid selections, making it a good choice for a smaller shaded bed or container where a full-size Solomon's seal would overwhelm the space.

Culture matches the rest of the genus: rich, consistently moist, humus-heavy woodland soil in partial to full shade, spreading slowly by rhizome into a tidy colony over years. It is slower to establish and bulk up than the straight species, so patience in the first few seasons pays off with an increasingly full clump rather than a fast spreader. Solomon's seal sawfly larvae are the main pest to watch for, capable of stripping foliage quickly in early summer if left unchecked.

Care guide
SunPartial to full shade
WaterModerate; keep moist; tolerates dry shade once established
SoilRich, moist, humus-rich; woodland conditions
Spacing10–15 in
Height12–24 in
Zone3a – 8b
Frost hardy
Seasonal tasks
spring
watchTips emerge around last frost — watch for new shoots pushing through
watchBe patient in the first few seasons — this cultivar bulks up more slowly than a straight-species Solomon's seal
summer
watchInspect the undersides of leaves for Solomon's seal sawfly larvae in early summer; they can defoliate a stand quickly if left unchecked
Common problems

Botrytis (grey mould)

Symptoms

Grey fuzzy mould on petals and stems, worst in cool wet conditions.

Treatment

Remove affected parts immediately. Improve air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Apply copper fungicide if severe.

Rust

Symptoms

Orange to brown raised pustules on the undersides of leaves, with yellow spotting on the upper surface. Heavy infections cause leaves to yellow and drop.

Treatment

Remove and destroy infected leaves. Avoid overhead watering and improve air circulation. Apply a sulfur or copper-based fungicide if it spreads. Clear plant debris in fall.

Fungal leaf spot

Symptoms

Brown or purplish spots on the leaves, often ringed with a yellow halo, that spread and merge in warm, humid, or wet weather; heavily spotted leaves yellow and drop early.

Treatment

Pick off spotted leaves and clear fallen debris to remove overwintering spores. Improve air circulation by thinning, and water at the base so foliage dries quickly. If it persists, apply a copper- or sulfur-based fungicide at the first sign.

Pests

Solomon's Seal Sawfly

Phymatocera aterrima
Symptoms

Grey-white larvae with dark heads feed on leaf undersides, stripping foliage to bare midribs and leaving stems skeletonized by midsummer.

Treatment

Inspect leaf undersides from late spring and remove larvae by hand. Knock larvae into soapy water or apply spinosad if infestation is heavy. Plants usually recover the following year even after full defoliation.