- Botanical name: Erythronium californicum
- Common name: Dog's tooth violet
- Family: Liliaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial
White
Yellow
Green
- Key features:
- Flowers
- Prefers rich soil
Erythroniums are beautiful plants, and are easy to grow provided they’re given the moist soil and shady woodland conditions they’re used to in the wild. The English name reflects the shape of the bulb, which is said to resemble a dog’s tooth.
The recurved petals of their blooms resemble small Turk’s-cap lilies. The bulbous plants develop young offsets freely and sometimes underground runners, so they build steadily into impressive clumps that are best left undisturbed.
As the name suggests, Erythronium californicum is native to the mountainous woodlands of California and bears marbled leaves, above which large, white flowers appear on an upright stem. For best results grow Erythronium californicum in moist soil in a shady spot, and mulch annually with leaf mould.
How to grow Erythronium californicum
-
Plant size
50cm height
100cm spread
-
Aspect
North facing, south facing, east facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, partial shade
- Shade type: Damp
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
- Plant care: Needs regular watering in pots
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do not Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does flower in March |
A
Plant does flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do not Divide in March |
A
Do not Divide in April |
M
Do not Divide in May |
J
Do Divide in June |
J
Do Divide in July |
A
Do Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Erythronium californicum and wildlife
Erythronium californicum has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Erythronium californicum poisonous?
Erythronium californicum has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
