Lysichiton americanus
Bog arum, Skunk cabbage
Also known as Lysichitum americanus
- Height × spread
- 1.2m × 1.8m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a spectacular plant for boggy places with big, arum-shaped, bright-yellow blooms. The flowers appear before the leaves in early spring and are long-lasting. After the flowers have faded, huge, paddle-shaped leaves appear which look like luscious lettuces. Although one of its common names is skunk cabbage there is little opportunity to get close to the flowers in the boggy conditions the plants inhabit.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 1.2m
- Spread
- 1.8m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Scented garden, Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Harmful if eaten; skin & eye irritant
Spring
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.