Beautiful erythroniums to grow

Erythroniums are easy to grow, provided they are given the right conditions, and will slowly multiply and spread if left undisturbed. Don’t let them dry out - they do best in moist but well-drained soil. Mulch annually with leaf mould.

While erythroniums can be grown from bulbs, they have a tendency to dry out, so are best grown from plants in pots.

Erythronium dens-canis

Erythronium dens-canis is one of the first erythroniums to flower in spring. It has nodding, mauve-pink flowers that look like tiny hats and leaves that are mottled with brown spots.

Height x spread: 20 x 15cm

Erythronium 'Joanna'

Erythronium ‘Joanna’ is a pretty cultivar with large, yellow flowers which darken to apricot as they mature. The pale, glossy green leaves are marbled with brown. It spreads well.

Height x spread: 35 x 35cm

Erythronium 'Citronella'

Erythronium ‘Citronella’ is a vigorous and free-flowering cultivar. As its name suggests, it has bright, lemon flowers that are backed with green. It has slightly marbled leaves. It spreads well.

Height x spread: 35 x 35cm

Erythronium 'Harvington Snowgoose'

Erythronium ‘Harvington Snowgoose’ has large, white flowers with elegant, recurved petals that have a feathered edge. The green leaves have pretty maroon markings. It flowers slightly later than other erythroniums.

Height x spread: 40 x 30cm

Erythronium 'Harvington Wild Salmon'

Erythronium 'Harvington Wild Salmon' has elegant, salmon-pink flowers. It looks dainty but is actually very robust and vigorous. It flowers a little later in spring than most erythroniums and is more compact than 'Harvington Snowgoose'.

Height x spread: 25 x 25cm

Erythronium 'White Beauty'

Erythronium 'White Beauty' has pale cream, lily-like flowers with a coppery stain at their centre. This is echoed by the leaves, that are also mottled with copper.

Height x spread: 30 x 30cm

Erythronium 'Hidcote Beauty'

'Hidcote Beauty’ was originally spotted growing at Hidcote, the well-known Gloucestershire garden. It has lilac-pink and cream flowers and especially eye-catching, mottled and veined foliage. It's very vigorous and flowers a little later than some erythroniums.

Height x spread: 25-35cm

Erythroniums go dormant from summer onwards, coming back the following year. To avoid disturbing them, mark where they are planted; over time they will sink deep into the ground. Leave to spread for up to five years before dividing.