Arum italicum

About this cultivar:

Arum italicum is a beautiful plant with striking arrow-headed foliage which appears in winter. During the darkest months of the year it provides a welcome carpet of colour in the garden. This foliage tends to die back in late spring, but it is followed by greenish creamy-yellow flower spathes which is followed again by spikes of bright orange-red berries that last into the summer.

Often used in a woodland setting we actually grow a few at the foot of the hedge beside the drive-way! - it is always interesting each time we walk by...

• Position: Full sun, partial shade (better in partial shade)
• Soil: Almost any soil - grows well in Ballyrobert!
• Flowers: May, June, July
  
• Other features: -
• Hardiness: Fully hardy - grows well in Ballyrobert!
• Habit: Columnar or Upright
• Foliage: Semi evergreen
• Height: 15 - 45 cm (0.5 - 01.5 ft)
• Spread: 7 - 22 cm (0.25 - 0.75 ft)
• Time to full growth: 2 to 5 years
• Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial
• Colour: White, green, red
• Goes well with: Hosta, Hemerocallis, Iris and other plants which will compliment their dormant period in the summer
  

About this genus:

Arum is a genus often called the Arum lily, although botanically Arum is not related to a real lily (genus Lilium) at all. Mostly native to Europe they are relatives of the Asian cobra lily or jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema) and are quite easy to grow in a wide range of soils and moisture levels (although part sun and well-drained soils are best).

Arum are dormant in the summer and start to grow in the late autumn. They are usually grown for their beautiful foliage which looks best in winter but they also produce a wide variety of large, colourful flowers which are followed by red berries in late spring.

Good garden pairings are Hosta, Hemerocallis, Iris and other plants which will compliment their dormant period in the summer.