Trout Lily (Erythronium): How to Grow and Care with Success

Erythronium, popularly known as Trout Lily, is a robust, resilient, and perennial plant that mesmerizes with its elegant, hanging lily-shaped blossoms and captivatingly veined elliptic leaves.

What is a Trout Lily?

Trout Lily, scientifically referred to as Erythronium, is also known as dog’s tooth violet. This perennial plant belongs to a genus that blooms in spring and is native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Over 20 species of this plant exist, with most found in Western North America, while some are distributed across Eastern North America and Eurasia.

Description: Trout Lilies are recognizable for their pendulous, lily-like blossoms that display hues of yellow, pink, or white, usually accompanied by distinctly patterned foliage. Each plant typically carries one to three flowers on a thin stem.

Growth Habit and Size: Trout Lilies are short-statured plants, usually growing to a height of approximately 4-12 inches (10-30 cm). They sprout from a bulb and have a growth pattern that forms clusters. They naturalize beautifully and spread joyously over time, creating a lush spread of leaves and flowers.

Flowers: The flowers of Trout Lilies are cherished for their lily-like shape with petals that curve back gracefully. The flowers display six petal-like sections, often colored with various hues.

Foliage: The foliage is at the base, lengthy, and commonly marbled or speckled with purple-bronze, giving rise to its popular name, ‘trout lily.’ The stunning foliage, coupled with the delicate flowers, make these plants a spring garden highlight.

Blooming Season: Trout Lilies bloom in spring, often flowering from the middle to the latter part of the season, although this can vary slightly based on the climate and species.

Hardiness: Many Trout Lily species are hardy and can bear winter temperatures, making them apt for growth in USDA zones 3-9.

Uses: Given their gorgeous flowers and leaves, Trout Lilies are frequently employed in woodland and rock gardens and in areas intended for naturalization. They can be planted in clusters under deciduous trees or mixed with other spring-blooming woodland flora.

Pollinators: The flowers of Trout Lilies are known to draw bees and other pollinators, adding to your garden’s biodiversity.

Toxicity: It’s not known for Trout Lilies to be toxic to humans or pets. Nonetheless, as with all plants, it’s advised to prevent ingestion and keep them out of the reach of small children and pets.

Deer and Rabbit: Trout Lilies generally resist deer and rabbits, making them an ideal choice for areas frequented by these creatures.

Drought: Trout Lilies prefer soil that retains moisture and don’t particularly tolerate drought. They thrive in areas with constant moisture, especially during spring when they are growing.

Invasiveness: Trout Lilies are not known to be invasive. They spread at a slow pace over time and do not propagate aggressively.

The common name ‘dog’s tooth violet’ is derived from the bulb’s shape and color, which are white and elongated like a dog’s canine tooth. Despite their name, they are not related to violets but are part of the lily family (Liliaceae).

1. Select The Right Site

• Best flowering occurs in partial shade. They thrive in a woodland setting, under shrubs or deciduous trees.
• Trout Lilies perform best in moist, well-drained soil. They need moist soil, even when dormant – do not let the soil dry out!
• Trout Liliesresent transplanting, therefore, make sure you find the right home for your bulbs.