Lords-and-ladies

Arum maculatum is a short-growing perennial, reaching heights of just 45cm. It has waxy, arrow-shaped leaves that are sometimes spotted with black splodges. Its flower is a greenish-white spathe with a purple rim and purple streaks and spots, which surrounds a green-yellow, then brown, spadix. Its leaves and spathe disappear by midsummer, leaving the spadix, which grows taller and matures to a club of orange-red berries in autumn.

Is lords-and-ladies a weed?

Lords-and-ladies self-seeds readily and also spreads by underground tubers, so can pop up in different parts of the garden and can be difficult to control, especially in gardens with rich, fertile soil. However, it remains a valuable plant for shady borders, and is used by wildlife.

How to control lords-and-ladies

If lords-and-ladies is growing too well in your garden, you can control its spread by deadheading spent flowers to stop them self-seeding, and digging out young plants before they become established. You can dig out large established patches of lords-and-ladies but this will take longer, and requires patience as plants can regrow from a tiny piece of tuber.

Always wear gloves when handling lords-and-ladies as all parts of the plant can irritate your skin.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the plant called lords-and-ladies?

Lords-and-ladies, along with other common names such as cuckoo pint, naked boys and cows and bulls, refer to the plant's resemblance to male and female genitalia, symbolising copulation.

Is lords-and-ladies poisonous?

Yes, all parts of the plant are poisonous and may cause tummy upset if eaten in quantity, however their leaves are so distasteful most people, pets and wild animals will eat only small amounts.

What is the easiest way to kill lords-and-ladies?

Hoe off seedlings or dig up young plants, making sure all tubers are removed. In beds where lords-and-ladies have become established, you may need to dig out the whole bed and then dig out the lords-and-ladies, taking care to check the rootballs of plants for any tubers caught in amongst them. Then sift the soil to remove any small pieces of tuber, before replanting the bed. You are unlikely to remove every trace of the plant but it will make further control easier, if you keep on top of new growth.