About
Erythronium revolutum, the mahogany fawn lily, is a clump-forming bulbous perennial to 30 cm tall with broadly oval, brown-mottled leaves and erect stems bearing one to four nodding, pink flowers to 5 cm across with reflexed petals in spring. A beautiful and long-lived woodland bulb for a moist, humus-rich, partly shaded border.
About the genus
Erythronium, the fawn lilies or dog's tooth violets, are bulbous perennials with paired, mottled or plain, broadly oval leaves and leafless stems bearing one or more nodding, star-shaped flowers with reflexed petals in spring, in shades of white, yellow, pink and purple. Excellent naturalising bulbs for woodland and shaded borders.
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, North-facing, West-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 toCaliforn. Vanc. Is.
ToxicityOrnamental bulbs, not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Ornamental bulbs, not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
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