Erythronium grandiflorum

RHS Plant Profile

avalanche lily

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Other common names

curly lily, snow lily

Synonyms

Erythronium giganteum, Erythronium grandiflorum subsp. chrysandrum, Erythronium nudipetalum, Erythronium parviflorum

Bulbs

A bulbous perennial, to 30cm high, with elliptic, bright green leaves. In spring, upright stems bear 1-3 large, nodding bright yellow flowers with spreading, recurved petals

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Liliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Ornamental bulbs, not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Ornamental bulbs; not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Erythronium are bulbous perennials with paired, ovate or broadly elliptic leaves, and leafless stems bearing one or more nodding, star-shaped flowers with recurved petals
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Western USA

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant 10cm deep in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil that does not dry out, in partial shade. mulch annually, ideally with leaf mould, especially in areas prone to hard frosts. Bulbs in storage must be kept slightly damp. See bulb cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division after flowering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free