PlantFiles: Evergreen Solomon's Seal
Disporopsis pernyi

Not evergreen in zone 6... in fact, it's one of the first to leave and last to return. I keep thinking it's dead and then notice it again when I'm wandering through the back of my property in late summer.

Fantastic groundcover! Although the glossy foliage loses some of its sheen over the winter, it quickly regains the deep green foliage in spring just in time for flowering. The photo posted was planted 3 years ago - divided at the time into half a dozen small plants and within two years had formed this large mass. With or without flowers, it's one of our favorites.

They're vigorous growers producing several new offsets in a year and make about a 12" clump in a couple of years. You could easily divide a clump and have a huge bunch of plants.

I sent for this plant on spec, and it has survived summer here in west central Florida pretty well -- though I think it would be kind of me to move it to more shade. When I got it, I didn't have a really suitable area ready. It is a pretty little thing, with an attractive way of growing. I have yet to see it flower, but will try to remember to upload a photo when that happens.