Garden Photo of the Day

Carol's voodoo lily in Georgia

Michelle Gervais, Senior Editor

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2 WAYS TO ENLARGE: Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.

Courtesy of Carol Binns

2 WAYS TO ENLARGE: Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.

Courtesy of Carol Binns

2 WAYS TO ENLARGE: Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.

Courtesy of Carol Binns

2 WAYS TO ENLARGE: Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.

Photo: Courtesy of Carol Binns

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Today's photos are from Carol Binns in Smyrna, Georgia. Carol says, "These are photos of my voodoo lily. It is of the genus Amorphophallus and in the Arum family, but I am not sure of the species. When I moved several years ago, I dug up and brought some of the bulbs with me. I left some to be a stinky suprise for the new owners of my house. By the way, that is my cat, Penny, in the picture. She doesn't seem to mind the smell." Ha!! I wonder what the new owners thought of both the smell and the look of your garden-warming gifts! So funny, Carol. Voodoo lilies are fascinating. Thanks for sharing yours.

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Comments (19)

cwheat000 writes: Very interesting! Thank you for the link trashywoman62. Posted: 10:05 pm on December 20th

trashywoman62 writes: I missed this post yesterday but wanted to share this story with those of you interested in the unusual voodoo lilies. A couple of years ago a variety bloomed at the greenhouse at the University of Illinois. They had a webcam on it, which you can see if you click on the greenhouse link in the article. I cannot image the smell of this one, notice size of lily behind woman in picture! I had one in a pot that was about 12" tall and it was bad!

http://news.illinois.edu/news/11/0707corpseflower.html

Regina Posted: 7:09 am on December 20th

NevadaSue writes: Carol, I have a friend in Washington state that grows a Voodoo plant. They are very interesting. I love your bird feeder with the clematis growing on it....and the wooden chairs. We do need to see more of your garden. Posted: 7:12 pm on December 19th

LimaTigerGirl writes: I bought this plant at an estate auction at least five years ago. It has been growing in the same big pot it came it. It spends every winter in my basement. Imagine my surprise when these two tall stalks started growing up in late winter. Unfortunately, it was too cold to put it outside. Boy, did it stink! Especially, since we brought it up to the kitchen so we could see it every day. It finally went outside after several weeks inside. Eventually, the flower stalks died back and the plant sent up its usual beautiful foliage. Back in the basement now. I don't expect it to bloom again for several years. Posted: 6:46 pm on December 19th

joycedaffodilhill writes: Amazing. Reminds me of a corpse lily. Odor is probably similiar. Love your garden, send us more pictures. Cat remarkable that she hangs near the lily.

Posted: 3:26 pm on December 19th

hummergirl writes: Wow - I haven't seen a voodoo lily before, but now have to have one!! So I found one on ebay and ordered it. Very interesting! And Carol, I agree with the others, we need to see more pictures. Your seating area is one I'd love to walk up to and sit a spell!
Also if you could follow up on your old house's occupants and how they like the voodoo lily you left them! We would love to know! Posted: 2:26 pm on December 19th

soilgoil writes: My first assignment as a Master Gardener volunteer about a dozen years ago was to identify a mysterious, stinky plant for new owners of a historic Victorian mansion. It was easy to do so even before visiting the garden, listening to the homeowner's vivid description on the phone. Since that time, I've seen several Voodoo Lilies thriving in gardens here in northern Washington State. They're an interesting botanical oddity, and yes, would be perfect in an Addams Family-themed garden! Posted: 1:19 pm on December 19th

Plant_Paradise writes: We grow quite a few Dracunculus vulgaris (voodoo lily, dragon arum) in our Zone 5 gardens (Caledon Ontario) and it has wintered over for four years. Exotic looking beauty. Always a showstopper. Posted: 10:18 am on December 19th

SilkPurseGarden writes: Awesome plant! Have always wanted to do an Addams Family garden and this would be a prime candidate. I, too, would like to see more photos of your garden. I particularly love how you left open spaces of just mulch to showcase your plants and to create a more interesting composition. Very effective, and hard to do as it's so tempting to fill everywhere with plants - believe me, I know! Posted: 10:05 am on December 19th

greenthumblonde writes: That is a really cool plant. And thanks for the info cwheat000. And to the parents and lovely people of Newtown you have my heavy hearted condolences. Posted: 9:51 am on December 19th

cwheat000 writes: It looks like it might be Amorphophallus riverii a.k.a Amorphophallus Konjac. This variety is surprisingly an Asian food crop. The giant corms are ground up into a powder. It basically creates a food product that is all soluble fiber and no calories or carbs. Carageenan jelly candies and shirataki noodles can be made from it. It has also been used in vegetarian foods as a meat substitute. It is also found in the health food supplement Glucomannan. Initial studies in the west have shown Glucomannan may help with weight loss and reducing both glucose and cholesterol levels. Who would of thought? It looks a little too creepy to eat and I would verify it is that variety, but kinda cool, huh? As a garden plant, it is also kind cool. It is definitely a conversation starter. I have seen them in catalogs before, but never the garden. I was not aware how tall they get. The near black color is a great contrast. Hardy to zone 6? Check out this plant's relative Amorphophallus titanum. Posted: 9:23 am on December 19th

pattyspencer writes: Love the pics of your garden and Penny is a very pretty kitty! You've tempted us with just your 3 pics - want/need more. I love that you left the new owners this surprise - don't know how long it's been since you've left so I'm wondering if they've been surprised yet or if it's still a part of the garden. Posted: 9:14 am on December 19th

Vojt writes: Plant Delights nursery has a large selection of tropical amorphophallus and a couple of marginally hardy ones. Amorphophallus konjac is listed as hardy to zone 6; maybe not hardy enough for Michigan. When I was a kid, I grew one in a pot in zone 4, but you definitely would NOT want one blooming in your house.
Wittyone: your screen name is aptly chosen! My wife would agree with your suspicion of certain male predilections. Posted: 9:11 am on December 19th

meander1 writes: You sent me off on a google search to find out more about the dark mysterious stranger...definitely sounds like an interesting plant although I'm not sure how I feel about it as a candidate for my garden. However, it does look like like a formidable sentry as it stands guard on the approach to your delightful pergola. I agree that we need to see more pictures of your lovely garden. The clematis scampering up the birdhouse pole is beautiful. Posted: 9:03 am on December 19th

tractor1 writes: Strange indeed. Posted: 8:57 am on December 19th

wittyone writes: That is some plant! How tall is it?

plant lady: I do know that voodoo lilies grow in southern Indiana so growing them in your area may be a possibility. I've never grown them but know a member of our plant exchange group who has. He was quite fascinated by them. Maybe it's a guy thing? Posted: 8:55 am on December 19th

plant_lady_55 writes: I love the voodoo lily, Carol. I wonder if it would grow in Michigan. I am going to have to look it up. I agree with wGardens -- we want to see more. Your garden is lovely!!! Want to see Penny's face, too. Posted: 8:30 am on December 19th

wGardens writes: Interesting- and has a nice color contrast. (Pretty kitty, too-) Our brief glimpse of your garden begs for more... looks wonderful! Posted: 7:40 am on December 19th

Vojt writes: Very sculptural. I bet it is a great combination with your hostas when it is in leaf as well. Posted: 7:08 am on December 19th

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