Welcome to the Summer 2000 On-Line Edition of

St George's News

Waterlooville's Parish Magazine

GARDEN GOSSIP

I think that one of my favourite plants, indeed, my most favourite next to myrtle, is the variegated form of the Italian Arum, Arum italicum 'Pictum'. I suppose the most familiar arum is the woodland Arum maculatum, known as Cuckoo Pint, Lords and Ladies and Jack in the Pulpit. This, the most northerly species of arum, is a fairly common wildflower on wet ground in England and much of Europe as well. Its leaves are often speckled with dark flecks, and its spathes are erect and hooded over at the top, pale green with purplish edges and sometimes spotted dark purple. But Arum italicum 'Pictum', which is slightly bigger and almost as hardy, has handsome variegated leaves which, once seen, are never forgotten. Given the correct conditions, this plant provides interest for much of the year. One thing you must not do is confuse it with the white 'arum lily' of the flower shop. That is not even an arum but is Zantedeschia aethioplca, which is nowhere near as hardy.

But first a brief description of 'Pictum'. Coming in at 12 inches high and with a similar spread, this species, which originally hailed from Southern Europe and North Africa, has broad, arrow-shaped, marbled leaves in autumn. Appearing in early spring, the flower spike has a light green, hooded spathe with a yellow spadix standing erect in the centre. It is followed by orange berries that last until late summer. The leaves die away at this time to reappear in the autumn and stand erect all through winter and spring, waiting for the flower spike to appear again.

Being woodland plants all arums prefer light to moderate shade; however, 'Pictum' is best kept away from too much shade as this is likely to reduce the amount of variegation, something which is true of most plants with variegated foliage. Also, as with all woodland plants, moist, rich, organic soils always provide the best results. These give it that lushness which is an important part of this plant's appeal. To keep the soil rich and loamy and well drained an autumn mulch is essential. It is also a good idea to top dress with bonemeal or a proprietary bulb fertilizer in early spring and again after midsummer, when the leaves start to reach for the sun again.

This is certainly a plant for the low maintenance garden, if such a garden exists. Once established it does spread - expand might be a better word. It gets bigger round the girth (don't we all) but it is definitely not invasive. It is a plant that must be left alone. Even the dead flower spikes must not be cut down. If they are cut off the plant will not produce the lovely spike of bright orangy-red fruits which are part of its glory. And if there are any other problems I have never heard of them.

But of course, as time goes by, it will outgrow the space which you left for it. Don't worry. Just dig it up very carefully and divide it. A congested clump can yield as many as 20 to 30 offsets, which can be detached from the tubers and planted 6 to 9 inches apart. Plant the tubers horizontally and at a depth of about 2 to 3inches. All this digging up and dividing should be done in the summer as the leaves begin to turn yellow. But one word of warning. Go careful with all the little tubers that you will find. Let them drop into the soil and they will produce another plant. So if you have any soil which has dropped off the roots while you were dividing the tubers be very careful how you dispose of it. If you just throw it on to a bare spot in your flower border you may find you have more arums than you anticipated, or wanted. But in spite of this one slight drawback, Arum italicum 'Pictum' is a lovely plant and one I should hate to see disappear from my garden.

Happy gardening

Bill Hutchings

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