Maianthemum

These false Solomon's seal perennials are some of the more showy plants for spring, especially with regards to their opulent foliage. Often arching stems, with alternate leaves, topped with small star-shaped flowers in terminal clusters. Some followed by incredibly pretty berries, (M. racemosum). Clump-forming or spreading (M. bifolium). Around 40 species, spread across the world, generally growing in woods and scrub. Thus preferring a cooler position in the garden, in dappled shade, in a good soil. Many of these have previously been known as Smilacina.

Bees and butterflies are attracted to the resources of the flowers, a useful addition to the sort of shady spot where nectar and pollen can be scarce, and the berries are eaten by garden birds such as blackbirds when ripe.