A Native Woodland Groundcover for Deep Shade

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) is a beloved Minnesota-native groundcover that thrives where almost nothing else will: deep, dry-to-moist shade under trees. Its lush, heart-shaped leaves form a dense, weed-suppressing carpet, and curious maroon flowers hide at the soil line in spring. Slowly spreading and long-lived, it's the perfect solution for shaded slopes, woodland gardens, and bare ground beneath shrubs in Edina, Maple Grove, and Woodbury. Deer leave it alone.

Landscape Uses

Use Wild Ginger as a native groundcover under trees and shrubs, on shaded slopes, along woodland paths, and in rain and shade gardens. It pairs beautifully with ferns, hostas, and other shade natives and slowly forms a lush carpet.

Best Time to Plant

Plant in spring or early fall, when cooler weather and steady moisture help roots establish.

How to Plant

Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Set the crown level with the soil, backfill with compost-enriched soil, water in well, and mulch 2–3 inches deep. Space plants about a foot apart for groundcover coverage.

Watering

First Year: Keep the soil consistently moist, watering 2–3 times per week.
After Year One: Water during dry spells. Once established it tolerates dry shade but prefers steady moisture.
Drip Irrigation: A soaker hose or drip line keeps the root zone evenly moist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will it grow in deep shade?
Yes, it's one of the best native groundcovers for full to part shade under trees.

Is it a Minnesota native?
Yes, Canadian wild ginger is native to Minnesota woodlands.

Is it the same as culinary ginger?
No, it's an ornamental native unrelated to edible tropical ginger; grow it for foliage, not eating.

Is it deer resistant?
Yes, deer reliably avoid wild ginger.

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Pair Wild Ginger with ferns, hostas, and other shade natives for a lush, low-care woodland floor.