About
Erythronium albidum, the white trout lily, is a slender, bulbous woodland perennial from eastern North America producing paired, mottled, lance-shaped leaves and solitary, nodding, white flowers with reflexed petals in spring. A charming native woodland plant for a moist, humus-rich, partly shaded position.
About the genus
Erythronium, the trout lilies or dog's-tooth violets, are bulbous woodland perennials with paired, often mottled, lance-shaped leaves and solitary or few-flowered racemes of nodding, reflexed-petal flowers in white, yellow, pink or mauve in spring. Excellent plants for moist, humus-rich, woodland conditions.
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Rock garden
Native toE North America
ToxicityOrnamental bulbs, not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling 6810,erythronium-californicum,Erythronium californicum,fawn lily,Erythronium americanum
Care notes
CultivationGrow in light or dappled shade, in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil that does not dry out in summer. Bulbs must be kept slightly damp until planted, and planted at least 10cm deep in late summer or early autumn. Well suited to woodland planting. See bulb cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division of established clumps, after flowering. Plants dislike disturbance and may take time to re-establish
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free