Northwest Blooms · Groundcovers
Asarum europaeum
European Wild Ginger
- Family
- Aristolochiaceae
- Height
- 3 to 5 in
- Width
- 6 to 12 in
- Flower color
- Reddish-brown, cup-shaped flowers often hidden beneath the foliage
- Foliage color
- Glossy dark green, heart-shaped evergreen leaves forming a dense groundcover
- Bloom time
- Early to mid spring
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; evergreen foliage requires little care, remove damaged or old leaves in early spring
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4 to 8
- Wildlife
- Ground-foraging bees and small pollinators
About this plant
Asarum europaeum is a low-growing evergreen perennial valued for its dense, glossy foliage and quiet woodland character. The rounded, heart-shaped leaves are deep green with a leathery texture, forming a continuous carpet that remains attractive year-round. In early to mid spring, small bell-shaped flowers appear close to the ground, colored rich brown to maroon and often hidden beneath the foliage.
Native to the shaded forests of central and southern Europe, this plant excels as a groundcover beneath trees and shrubs. Its slow-spreading habit creates a polished understory layer well suited to naturalistic plantings, shade gardens, and woodland paths, where consistent foliage texture provides visual continuity throughout the seasons.
Works well in
Pollinator Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Borders · Deer-Prone Areas
Companion plants
Hellebores · Ferns · Hostas · Epimediums · Trilliums · Brunneras
Design tip
Use this evergreen groundcover to establish a calm, uniform backdrop beneath specimen shrubs or small ornamental trees. Its consistent foliage texture helps showcase seasonal flowers and colorful foliage while giving shaded gardens a more refined, cohesive appearance.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at Heronswood Garden.
