Erythronium 'Pagoda'
This lovely plant, with its bright, sulphur-yellow flowers nodding in the spring breeze, is a sight to behold at Rosemoor during May. We have been increasing our stock of these plants over the years and there are now several superb groups to be seen along the Woodland Walk and in the humus-rich soil in the Lake area.
Vital statistics
- Common name
- Dog’s-tooth violet, trout lily
- Family
- Liliaceae
- Height & spread
- 15-35cm (6-14in) x 10cm (4in)
- Form
- Bulbous perennial
- Soil
- Fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil that does not dry out
- Aspect
- Dappled or partial shade
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy
Erythronium
This genus contains about 22 species of clump-forming, bulbous perennials with long, pointed tooth-like bulbs, found in a wide range of habitats from deciduous woodlands to open mountain meadows in North America, Europe and Asia
Flowers are produced from spring to early summer on slender, upright stems. The flowers are pendant, 3-6cm (1.25-2.5in) across in colours ranging from white through yellow, pink and violet to purple. They have 6 recurved, pointed tepals and prominent stamens.
The leaves are basal, elliptic, paired, mid- to dark-green. Some are marbled bronze, silver, brown or maroon, which starts to fade as the season progresses.
They like cool, damp climates where they may be grown beneath deciduous trees or in rock gardens.
The name comes from the Greek word erythronion, derived from the word erythros, red, originally the name for another plant.
Erythronium 'Pagoda'
This cultivar is very vigorous, with strongly bronze-mottled, glossy, deep-green leaves.
In spring each stem bears 2-10 sulphur-yellow flowers with a highly visible central ring and deep yellow anthers.
Cultivation
- Plant the bulbs at least 10cm (4in) deep in autumn in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil that does not dry out, in dappled or partial shade.
- Bulbs should be kept slightly damp during storage and before planting.
- Erythronium need protecting against slugs.
Propagation
- Divide established clumps after flowering or sow fresh seed in rich, moisture retentive soil.
AGM
The RHS Rock Garden Plant Trials Subcommittee awarded Erythronium 'Pagoda' an Award of Garden Merit and described it as: Bulbous perennial with slightly mottled, rich green leaves and stems to 35cm bearing up to 10 nodding flowers 5-6cm wide. Flowers creamy-yellow with recurved segments.