Erythronium californicum

Erythroniums are beautiful plants, and are easy to grow provided they're given the moist soil and shady woodland conditions they're used to in the wild. The English name reflects the shape of the bulb, which is said to resemble a dog's tooth.

The recurved petals of their blooms resemble small Turk's-cap lilies. The bulbous plants develop young offsets freely and sometimes underground runners, so they build steadily into impressive clumps that are best left undisturbed.

As the name suggests, Erythronium californicum is native to the mountainous woodlands of California and bears marbled leaves, above which large, white flowers appear on an upright stem. For best results grow Erythronium californicum in moist soil in a shady spot, and mulch annually with leaf mould.