Dracunculus vulgaris
Dragon arum
Also known as Arum dracunculus
- Height × spread
- 0.9m × 0.45m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a striking plant that stinks for a while! It has lobed, digitate leaves, striped with the finest white lines, like threads of cotton, and makes an extraordinary foliage clump, looking top heavy. Later a sheath or <I>spathe</I> emerges, green outside and red-purple inside.
- Flower colour
- Purple, Red
- Foliage colour
- Green, White
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- Yes
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.9m
- Spread
- 0.45m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Winter
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Small scale garden, Scented garden, Mediterranean garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Harmful if eaten; skin & eye irritant
AutumnNow
Autumn - late · Outdoors
Apply mulch
Spread organic material around the plant being careful not to bury its crown, or to put the mulch above the point at which the plant has been grafted in the case of trees.
A mulch is a covering that can: protect the soil surface from rain, heat and cold; deter weeds; provide nutrients. Organic indicates that material has vegetative origin e.g. manure, compost. Synthetics i.e. plastics, or stones are often called mulches.
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.