Wild ginger

European wild ginger is a valuable native perennial that you will most often encounter in nature in moist deciduous and mixed forests, where it forms continuous carpets. Its main advantage is its glossy, dark green kidney-shaped leaves, which persist on the plant even through the winter, ensuring a year-round effect in the garden. Thanks to its tolerance to deep shade, it is an ideal choice for underplanting mature trees and shrubs, where other plants fail to thrive and where it reliably replaces the lawn. Early in the spring, often hidden under the leaves, inconspicuous purple to brown flowers appear, lying close to the ground. The entire plant is slightly poisonous and emits a specific aromatic scent reminiscent of pepper or ginger when the leaves are crushed. It is not suitable for cutting or drying; its function is purely ornamental right at the habitat. It requires humous, moist soil and occasional inspection against slugs, who like to feast on the leaves.