Flowers are coming and going in the woodland far too quickly for my liking. At the moment it is time for the Erythroniums, which are small lily shaped flowers, only standing about 6 inches tall. They might only be small, but they have such an ethereal beauty that I can’t imagine the woodland without them. It’s best not to go away on holiday at this time of year, otherwise you will miss them, they aren’t in flower for very long.
Erythronium Pagoda
Erythronium Pagoda
These lovely little flowers need a humus rich soil in shade which is damp in spring but dry in summer.
Erythronium Knightshayes Pink
This is a lovely one which I bought at our local Nation Trust House, Knightshayes.
E. Knightshayes Pink.
I must move this one to the woodland to join its cousins.
E. californicum White Beauty.
For some reason I planted this one under a rhododendron and now it is almost impossible to see, never mind photograph. I have been meaning to move it for quite some time and now I really must if I want to see it properly.
E. californicum White Beauty.
As you can see, Erythroniums have large juicy leaves which appeal to something, the leaves are sometimes mottled with brown markings and are very attractive in their own right.
The flowers might be fleeting but they are so worth the effort of growing them, the woodland wouldn’t be the same without them at this time of year.
I agree with you about Erythroniums, they are definitely worth growing. One of my favorite spring ephemerals. Yours are very pretty. I have some very similar.
So glad you like them too Alison, they really are such little beauties!
Oh, they are beautiful. Love all the different varieties. I want some now!xxx
I agree, they are lovely Dina, little treasures on the woodland floor.
Treasures indeed! I love the Erythroniums, which we call trout lilies (an odd name). Are yours the American species, E. americanum?
I think think the “trout Lilies” get their name from the markings on the leaves, they are supposed to resemble the fish. Erythronium califoricum White Beauty obviously comes from your side of the Atlantic, but some are European plants.