White Flower Farm
Asarum europaeum
Best evergreen ground cover for gardeners managing deep, shaded landscapes.
Enhance your shady garden with European Wild Ginger (_Asarum europaeum_), a perennial ground cover that slowly forms a dense, 6-inch-deep carpet of glossy, dark green, kidney-shaped leaves. This evergreen plant offers year-round texture and shine, thriving in rich, slightly acidic, organic soil with moderate moisture. It's an excellent choice for creating a lush ground cover in shaded areas, providing a beautiful backdrop for spring blooms. Please note, despite its common name, this plant is toxic if ingested and is not a true ginger.
$19.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
832
/ 2996
#832 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-31%
Below average
Lifespan
Perennial
/ Perennial
Who it's for
- Homeowners dealing with hungry deer and local wildlife
- Busy gardeners wanting a long-lasting, hands-off landscape solution
- Gardeners needing reliable greenery for dark, shaded corners
Who should skip it
- Gardeners with dry, sandy, or poorly maintained soil conditions
- Landscapers needing immediate, budget-friendly coverage for large spaces
- Families with curious pets or small children
Performance breakdown
Shade Tolerance
Thrives in deep shade where most ground covers struggle to survive.
Foliage Aesthetics
Glossy, kidney-shaped leaves provide a sophisticated, high-end look year-round.
Deer Resistance
Reliably deters browsing wildlife, protecting your garden investment from hungry pests.
Growth Manageability
Slow, steady spread prevents the plant from becoming an invasive nuisance.
Maintenance Ease
Requires minimal intervention once established in the correct organic soil conditions.
Safety Profile
Toxicity concerns require careful placement away from curious pets and children.
Key Specs
Lifespan
Perennial
Mature Height
6.0 inches
USDA Hardiness Zones
5 to 9
Preferred Soil pH
Slightly acid
Planting Spacing
8.0 inches recommended
Toxicity
Toxic to humans
Growth Rate
Slow
Foliage Color
Dark Green
Features
- Forms a dense, glossy, dark green carpet
- Provides excellent evergreen foliage interest
- Deer resistant ground cover solution
- Ideal for deep shade environments
- Slow growth ensures manageable spread
- Offers seasonal texture and shine
- Curious, insignificant bell-shaped flowers
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise the exceptional quality and reliable health of the Asarum europaeum upon arrival. The robust packaging ensures the delicate specimens reach gardeners undamaged and ready for planting, leading to high establishment success. Gardeners value the glossy, deep green foliage, noting its excellent texture for dense groundcover in shaded areas. The primary concern centers on value; while quality is undisputed, many feel the initial plant size does not fully justify the premium price, especially given the slow growth. Despite this cost to size ratio, the guaranteed health and superior dependability solidify this as a top choice for gardeners prioritizing long term success.
Know before you buy
No, despite the common name, European Wild Ginger is not a true ginger and is not edible. It is strictly an ornamental ground cover and is toxic if ingested.
It performs best in partial to full shade. It is an excellent choice for deep shade environments where many other plants struggle to grow.
No, it has a slow growth rate. It will gradually form a dense, 6-inch-deep carpet, making it a manageable ground cover that won't quickly overtake your garden beds.
Yes, it provides year-round interest with its glossy, dark green, kidney-shaped leaves. It maintains its foliage through the winter in most climates within its hardiness zones.
We recommend spacing them 8 inches apart. This allows enough room for the plants to eventually knit together into a solid, uniform carpet.
European Wild Ginger is considered deer resistant. It is a reliable choice for gardeners looking to minimize damage from local wildlife.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$19