Erythronium dens-canis
dog's tooth violet bulbs
- 5 × bulbs
- £5.99 £9.99 £1.20 each
- available to order from summer
Delivery options
- Bulbs (only) £4.99
- Position: partial to full shade
- Soil: fertile, humus-rich, freely draining soil that does not dry out
- Rate of growth: average to fast
- Flowering period: April
- Hardiness: fully hardy
- Bulb size: 1
The foliage of this charming dog's tooth violet (Erythronium dens-canis) is a lush green, but comes heavily marbled with purple-brown. It makes a great show all on its own, but the best bit is when the slender, upright stems emerge from the clump in spring bearing nodding pink-purple flowers. The petals are sharply recurved so the flowers look like they have been grown in a wind tunnel when fully open, but this just helps to reveal their yellow anthers.
Plant bulbs 10cm (4in) deep and 10cm (4in) apart in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, ideally in partial shade. Arrange in naturalistic drifts and leave undisturbed for several years to establish.
Apply a 5-7 cm (2-3in) mulch of leaf mould or compost in autumn to help conserve moisture and feed the roots. Leave plants undisturbed once established, and remove old foliage only after it has fully died back.
Avoid planting beneath thirsty trees or shrubs that dry out the soil in summer.
Apply a 5-7 cm (2-3in) mulch of leaf mould or compost in autumn to help conserve moisture and feed the roots. Leave plants undisturbed once established, and remove old foliage only after it has fully died back.
Avoid planting beneath thirsty trees or shrubs that dry out the soil in summer.
- Humans/Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten
