Lords-and-Ladies
Arum italicum (ARACEAE)
Planting and Growing Lords-and-Ladies
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow lords-and-ladies in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of lords-and-ladies
- Season of bloom and planting time for lords-and-ladies
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for lords-and-ladies
- When, how deep, and where to plant lords-and-ladies
- How to plant lords-and-ladies
- Watering, fertilizing, care and pests or diseases of lords-and-ladies
- Landscape and indoor uses of lords-and-ladies
- Comments about lords-and-ladies and its features
- Health and safety warnings for lords-and-ladies
Growing Lords-and-Ladies
Spring tuber. Deciduous. Stands 12–18 in. (30–45 cm) tall. Elongated, heart-shaped green leaves with variegated patterns.
Snakeshead, Arum maculatum, is a is commonly cultivated related species with black spotted foliage.
Resembles Jack-in-the-pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum; both are members of ARACEAE plant family.
Lords-and-Ladies Planting and Care Guide
Flowers
Spring. Green, purple, white, yellow. Solitary, nearly spiral spathe with narrow leaflike form protects central spadix, to 8 in. (20 cm) tall, which forms attractive orange, red berries.
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 5–10; ground hardy, zones 6–10, depending on species.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained soil. Fertility: Rich–average. 6.5–7.5 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Autumn in partial to full shade. Space 1 ft. (30 cm) apart, 4 in. (10 cm) deep.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep moist spring–summer. Fertilize in spring. Mulch. Protect from wind. Propagate by division in late summer–early autumn.
Lifting and Storing
Dark, 50–60°F (10–16°C), in net bag or open basket of dry peat moss.
About This Species
Good choice for beds, borders in indoor, woodland gardens and water feature shorelines. Good for cutting. Deer, rodent and disease resistant.
Warning:
Fruit of Arum italicum is hazardous if eaten. Avoid planting in areas frequented by pets or children.