Lords and Ladies

A really interesting plant is Arum italicum. Arum italicum is also known as "Lords and Ladies". I have really debated about this posting and wasn't sure I would post it at all. I have had it ready for more than one month deciding whether or not I would post it. I have finally decided to post it with a warning. I beg of you to take this warning seriously. I have grown Arum italicum for four years now and I must say it is a well behaved plant in my garden, but in some areas of the country and in some gardens in our area, Arum italicum may spread more than the unwitting gardener would like. From the research I have done it appears that the wetter the spot the more likely it is the arum will spread. So plant it in a dry area where it might not spread as much, or don't plant it at all if you don't want volunteers. Mine is well behaved but has multiplied (I think this is good thing) in the four years I have grown it. I started with six plants and now have about 15. Not too bad.

Arum italicum is actually a little corm. I ordered six from mail order several years ago. While reworking a garden I found they were still in the same place I had planted them. I had forgotten about them because the leaves come up in the fall, disappear, then the plants bloom in the summer. I wound up moving them to another location and wonders of wonders, this plant had naturalized and spread. I now have it in two locations and more plants than what I started with. I don't mind if it naturalizes in my little woodland garden, but not everyone will appreciate this trait of the plant, so plant with caution.

The plant does fine in shade and mine are planted under a cedar tree on the north side of my yard. I am somewhat bothered as to the fact they have never bloomed for me. I am not sure why but am hopeful they will reward me with a flower next year since I moved them. The flower is on a short stem and is followed by a lot of bright red berries. Sometimes arum italicum is called the Candle Flower because of its berries. The Southern Living book says these berries are "the most conspicuous feature of the plant". I will have to wait and see once mine bloom. For now I like the marbled foliage which pops its head up this time of year. The plant works well in a shady border and is something a little unusual.

I have been fortunate to see the blooms of arum italicum. While visiting a friend here in Woodlawn near Smith Branch Road, I saw the most beautiful display of the berries of the italicum. The little garden was in the front yard on the corner of Smith Branch and Gip Manning Roads, and was loaded with the bright red berries. The area got a lot of sun so I suspect arum italicum may take more sun than I give it credit for. This is an easy care plant for the shade-just plant and forget about it.

in the garden....