| Arum Italicum is an unusual perennial plant for the fall | | | | foot tall, and is a great companion plant for any |
| and winter garden. As the hostas prepare to | | | | perennial that dies down for the winter. It grows well |
| disappear for their winter rest, Italian Arum begins to | | | | with hosta, ferns, and hellebores. As the hosta leaves |
| send up its deep green variegated leaves to unfurl | | | | emerge, Italian Arum will go to sleep for the summer, |
| and show off once the hostas have gone. | | | | storing energy for an even better show the next fall. |
| The variegated leaves are arrow-shaped and very | | | | Arums prefer part to full shade and well-drained soil. |
| unusual, sometimes growing quite large-up to 12 | | | | A woodland area is a perfect location and the |
| inches long on mature plants. | | | | accumulating leaf litter will provide all of the nutrients |
| Italian Arum is a tuberous perennial, which is probably | | | | needed by Arum to grow well, so additional fertilizer |
| why it is so hardy and tolerant of the drought that is | | | | is not recommended. |
| common here in Georgia. The leaves are variegated | | | | An added bonus is that deer will not touch Arum |
| green and white and last until May. | | | | Italicum! |
| Mature plants produce an Arum-type spathe in spring | | | | I hope you'll take advantage of the warm spells we |
| followed by bright red berries that remain on the | | | | have in between the cold snaps by getting outside to |
| stalk even after the leaves have disappeared. | | | | enjoy the garden! |
| Italian Arum forms a nice clump of leaves about a | | | | |