Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Splendid Erythronium
Dog Tooth Violet, Trout Lily, Adder's Tongue, Fawn Lily
A member of the Lily family, Erythronium (Dog Tooth Violet) are charming bulbous perennials grown for their nodding, lily-shaped flowers adorned with gracefully reflexed petals in spring. Equally attractive is their foliage of elliptic leaves, often copiously marbled with purple-bronze. Easy to grow, they are lovely in groups under deciduous trees, in rock gardens or near ponds and streams where they will happily multiply.
1. Select The Right Site
- Best flowering occurs in partial shade. They thrive in a woodland setting, under shrubs or deciduous trees.
- Erythronium perform best in moist, well-drained soil. They need moist soil, even when dormant - do not let the soil dry out!
- Erythronium resent transplanting, therefore make sure you find the right home for your bulbs.
- Click here to see all Erythronium varieties
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2. Planting Your Erythronium Bulbs
- Plant your bulbs in fall, as soon after you receive them. These bulbs do not like being dried out.
- Dig a hole and plant your erythronium bulbs 4 in. deep (10 cm) and 4 in. apart (10 cm).
- If you feel you live in an environment that might be borderline for plant hardiness, place the bulbs slightly deeper below the soil line. Not sure about your growing zone? Check here.
- Set the Erythronium bulb with the pointed ends facing up. Cover the bulb with soil and water as needed. Protect in colder areas with deep mulch over winter.
- Click here to see all Erythronium Garden Ideas
3. Aftercare
- Water as needed during the growing season to keep the soil moist.
- After blooming is over, keep the leaves so that the plant can put its energy back into its bulb for next spring’s blooming. The leaves give an energy charge to the bulb through photosynthesis and for this they need to keep their leaves!
- Eythronium are spring ephemerals whose foliage disappears by late spring or early summer as the plant goes dormant. Interplant your dog tooth violets with late emerging perennials to fill in the open space (bleeding hearts, columbines or hostas).
- Propagate by division after flowering (when the leaves start to yellow).
- Click here to compare all Erythronium plants
Guide Information
Hardiness |
3 - 9
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Plant Type | Bulbs, Perennials |
Plant Family | Erythronium - Dog Tooth Violets |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Guide Information
Hardiness |
3 - 9
|
---|---|
Plant Type | Bulbs, Perennials |
Plant Family | Erythronium - Dog Tooth Violets |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |