Description of Arum italicum (Italian Arum)

Arum italicum is Italian arum, grown for patterned leaves and bright berries. It’s often called lords-and-ladies in older garden talk, though that name is used for several arum types. It suits damp shade and adds interest when other plants are quiet.

Appearance

Leaves emerge in autumn or winter, often with pale marbling. In spring it produces the classic arum spathe and spadix flower. By summer, the leaves die back and you get clusters of orange-red berries on upright stems.

Care Guide

It has an odd rhythm, so plan around it. You get foliage in the cooler months and berries in summer, but not much leaf cover at the height of summer.

• Sun: Part shade to shade.
• Soil: Moist, humus-rich soil. It also copes in average soil if not bone dry.
• Water: Keep damp during establishment. Once settled it is fairly tolerant.
• Maintenance: Let foliage die back naturally. Remove berry stems if you want a tidier look.
• Propagation: It can seed. Lift and move small plants in autumn if needed.

Place it where winter and spring foliage matters, such as near paths or under deciduous shrubs.

Suitability for Bog Garden

This plant suits bog gardens on the drier, shaded edge rather than the saturated centre. Use it under taller summer plants that fill space after arum foliage dies back.

It also works in woodland-style bog gardens where you want seasonal change without constant fuss.

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