Troubleshooting
Great Solomon's Seal problems — and how to fix them
Great Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum commutatum) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Slug and snail damage
Large, succulent emerging shoots are highly attractive to slugs and snails in spring. Apply ferric phosphate pellets around crowns as soon as growth emerges. Established plants suffer less visible damage but young transplants can be severely set back.
Solomon's seal sawfly
Related sawfly species can cause rapid defoliation of stems in early summer. Inspect regularly from late spring and remove grey larvae by hand. Given the dramatic height of this species, damaged plants are conspicuous. Plants fully recover the following year.
Windrock and stem breakage
At full height (up to 2 m), tall stems can be damaged by strong winds or heavy rain. Situate in a sheltered spot or stake lightly. In exposed positions, the colony's density provides some mutual support.
Prevent great solomon's seal problems before they start
Most great solomon's seal issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Great Solomon's Seal problems — FAQ
Why is my great solomon's seal slug and snail damage?
Large, succulent emerging shoots are highly attractive to slugs and snails in spring. Apply ferric phosphate pellets around crowns as soon as growth emerges. Established plants suffer less visible damage but young transplants can be severely set back.
Why is my great solomon's seal solomon's seal sawfly?
Related sawfly species can cause rapid defoliation of stems in early summer. Inspect regularly from late spring and remove grey larvae by hand. Given the dramatic height of this species, damaged plants are conspicuous. Plants fully recover the following year.
Why is my great solomon's seal windrock and stem breakage?
At full height (up to 2 m), tall stems can be damaged by strong winds or heavy rain. Situate in a sheltered spot or stake lightly. In exposed positions, the colony's density provides some mutual support.