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Arum italicum (Italian Arum)

Italian Arum, Italian Lords and Ladies

Arum Italicum, Italian Arum, Shade Perennial

Arum italicum (Italian Arum) is a tuberous perennial with attractive flowers reminiscent of Arisaema tryphyllum (Jack-in-the-Pulpit). Appearing in the spring, each flower consists of a large greenish-yellow spathe with a yellow spadix and gives way to showy spikes of glistening, bright orange-red berries in summer. The first leaves appear just as the berries vanish. Large, arrow-shaped, glossy gray-green, 8-12 in. long (20-30 cm), they are adorned with paler midribs. Impervious to even the most dreadful weather, they remain attractive from winter into spring. The foliage goes dormant in summer, before emerging again in the fall.

  • This clump-forming perennial grows up to 12-18 in. high and wide (30-45 cm). Italian arum will naturalize slowly in woodland
  • Performs best in part shade to full shade, in humusy, moist, well-drained soils. Wet soil tolerant.
  • Excellent in shaded beds and borders, underplanting shrubs or roses.
  • Generally disease and pest free, this plant requires little maintenance.
  • Division of clumps of tubers should take place after flowering. Alternatively, propagate by seed sown in fall having removed the fleshy pulp
  • All parts are highly toxic by ingestion. This plant has become a dangerous pest in the Pacific Northwest and is classified as a Class C noxious weed in Washington State.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
  • Native to Europe, Asia and Northern Africa.
  • Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
  • Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 3 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Araceae
Genus Arum
Common names Arum, Italian Arum
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" (50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Full Shade, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Arum italicum subsp. italicum ‘Marmoratum’ (Italian Arum)

Recommended Companion Plants

Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ (Solomon’s Seal)
Galium odoratum (Sweet Woodruff)
Arum italicum subsp. italicum ‘Marmoratum’ (Italian Arum)
Helleborus Winter Jewels ‘Amethyst Gem’ (Hellebore)
Myosotis sylvatica (Wood Forget-Me-Not)
Tulipa ‘White Triumphator’ (Lily-Flowered Tulip)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Native Plant Alternatives to Arum italicum (Italian Arum)
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.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 3 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Araceae
Genus Arum
Common names Arum, Italian Arum
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" (50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Full Shade, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Arum
Not sure which Arum to pick?
Compare Now

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