Erythronium multiscapideum
Sierra fawn lily
A bulbous herbaceous perennial 15-35cm high with elliptic leaves, 3.5-10cm long, which are dark green lightly mottled with brown and which die down in summer, a flower stem which branches at or just below ground level, and red-flushed buds that open into creamy-white flowers, 4-6cm across, with white anthers and yellow or yellowish green centres, in spring
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Cream Green White Yellow | Brown Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Brown Green | |||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Liliaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- 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
- USA (California)
How to grow
Cultivation
Plant bulbs in autumn, at least 10cm deep, in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil that does not dry out, in light dappled or partial shade, for example in a woodland garden, and mulch each year with leafmould; keep bulbs slightly damp during storage and before planting. See bulb cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by division of established clumps after flowering; re-plant immediately to make sure the bulbs do not dry out
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey moulds and rust diseases but generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.