About
Erythronium citrinum, the lemon fawn lily, is a bulbous woodland perennial from California and Oregon producing paired, mottled leaves and one to three nodding, pale-cream to white flowers with a lemon-yellow centre and reflexed petals in spring. A charming and ornamental western American erythronium for moist, humus-rich, partly shaded woodland conditions.
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, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
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, Wildflower meadow
Native toEurope
ToxicityOrnamental bulbs, not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling 6819,erythronium-grandiflorum,Erythronium grandiflorum,avalanche lily,Erythronium dens-canis
Care notes
CultivationPlant 10cm deep in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in partial shade that does not dry out. Bulbs in storage must be kept slightly damp. See bulb cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division after flowering
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free