Family
Aristolochiaceae
Description
Introduced to Western horticulture in the late 20th century through plant-collecting expeditions to China, Upright wild ginger (Saruma henryi) is monotypic—the only species in its genus. Gardeners value it as a shade-loving perennial that blooms freely and reliably, unlike true wild gingers, which seldom flower above their foliage. Upright wild ginger’s dense vegetation provides ground-level cover and integrates well into woodland garden settings, where few flowering perennials thrive in deep shade. The plant is hardy in USDA zones 4-8 and prefers shade to part shade with moist, well-drained soil.
Upright wild ginger is endemic to central and southern China, primarily found in montane forests, shaded slopes, and along moist ravines. It naturally thrives in the rich, humus-filled soils of deciduous woodland understories. Given its limited geographic range and unique taxonomic status, S.henryi holds value as a living genetic resource, especially within botanical gardens and curated collections.
Bloom Time
April to June
