Genus Arum (Lords and ladies)

Arum italicum Photo/Illustration: Colleen Fitzpatrick

AIR-um Common Name: Lords and ladies

Arum are spring-flowering, tuberous perennials with attractively marked, arrow- or heart-shaped leaves. The flowers are small but are enclosed in large spathes. They may have a sweet or unpleasant fragrance. Spikes of red or orange berries appear after the flowers. The genus contains about 26 species from a range of partially shaded habitats in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Arum are useful in shrub borders, in the greenhouse, or in flower arrangements.
Noteworthy characteristics: Attractive leaves, large spathes of flowers, spikes of berries. All parts may cause severed discomfort if ingested. Contact with the sap may irritate skin.
Care: In the garden, grow in a sheletered area in well-drained, organically rich soil in full sun or part shade. Indoors, grow in full or filtered light and provide ample water during the growing season. Keep almost dry when dormant.
Propagation: Divide after flowering, or sow seed in autumn in a cold frame after removing the pulp from the berries, which may be caustic.
Problems: Infrequent.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Arum

Arum italicum
(Italian arum, Orange candleflower) (2 user reviews)

Hardiness Zones:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

A. italicum will add great color and diversity to the garden with their attractively marked leaves, which may be arrow- or spear-shaped. Leaves are veined with mid-green to white. In early summer, white spathes of flowers are followed by spikes of bright orange red berries.

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