Arum

A family of ornamental perennials that are the hardy equivalent of the more colorful tropical Caladiums. The berries are very poisonous so this plant is not suitable for planting on playgrounds. Easy to grow, insect pests and diseases are rare.

* photo taken on May 6 2023 in Columbia, MD

Arum alpinum
A perennial forming a foliage clump up to 1 foot high, that is native to the mountains of Greece. It is closely related to Arum maculatum.
The foliage is deep green.
The pale green flowers are borne during late spring.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 ( possibly 5 ).

Arum concinnatum
Native to Turkey and Greece and reaching up to 3.3 feet in height and spreading.
The foliage emerges in fall and is glossy dark green blotched with silvery gray. The leaves are arrow head shaped and up to 20 x 12 inches in size.
The flower spaethe is greenish-white and up to 10 inches in length.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 ( possibly 5 )

Arum creticum
A vigorous perennial native to Crete forming a clump up to 2 x 3 feet in size.
The foliage is glossy green and triangular with wavy edges up to 6 inches in length.
The fragrant, hooded speathes are yellow and up to 8 inches in length with a darker yellow spadix. The flowers are borne early to mid spring.
Hardy north to zone 6 and tolerates deep shade only under deciduous trees.
Prefers deep alkaline soil.

* photos taken on June 1 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 15 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 23 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 17 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 11 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 17 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 15 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Jan 15 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 22 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 13 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Jan 2 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Dec 31 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 12 2022 in Columbia, MD

Arum dioscoridus
A vigorous perennial, reaching up to 15 inches in height, that is native to Turkey. The leaves emerge in fall and are up to 18 x 11 in size. The flower spaethe is pale green to deep brown-purple and up to 16 inches in length. Hardy zones 6 to 9 ( possibly 5 )

Arum elongatum
A perennial, reaching up to 16 inches, that is native to a 60 mile wide belt around the Black Sea. The blackish-maroon flower spaethes appear mid to late spring.

Arum hyrophyllum
A perennial, reaching a maximum height of 40 inches. The huge arrow-shaped leaves last all winter.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 ( possibly 5 )

Arum italicum ( Italian Arum )
A rapid growing tuberous perennial native to Mediterranean Europe forming a clump up to 2 x 3 feet in size. Great to for winter foliage effect especially mixed into plantings with Hostas & Coralbells.
The arrow-shaped or triangular leaes are up to 18 inches in length. The glossy foliage has silver markings over various shades of green. The foliage appears duriing mid-autumn then dies down during late spring as the plant becomes dormant during the summer. The foliage is toxic for consumption by humans or animals.
The greenish-white flower spathes, up to 16 inches in length, appear during mid to late spring.
They are followed by showy orangish-red berries during summer as the foliage goes dormant.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 ( reports of zone 4 with snow cover ). Prefers moist, fertile soil in sun to partial shade ( morning sun in sheltered site is best ). Clumps can be divided while dormant during summer.

* photos taken in Clarksville, MD on March 24 2010









* photos taken on April 18 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum






* photos taken on April 22 2010 in Clarksville, MD



* photo taken on Apr 22 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Jan 2 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 20 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 2 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Chameleon'
Foliage is broad, marbled white and silver over various shades of green

'Marmoratum'
Large foliage with major veins colored silver & cream

'Pictum'
smaller narrower foliage that is more heavily marbled silver-gray and cream

* photo taken on Mar 7 2013 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photo taken on July 11 2016 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on Nov 19 2016 @ London Town Gardens, Edgewater, MD

* photo taken on Jan 9 2020 @ London Town Gardens, Edgewater, MD

'White Winter'
Smaller growing to only 10 x 12 inches. The leaves are heavily marbled with pure white.

Arum korolkowii
A perennial, native to central Asia, reaching up to 2 feet in height.
The leaves are sagittate and the flower spaethe is white to dark red inside. The flowers are borne during early spring.
Prefers warm shady sites and is hardy north to zone 4

Arum maculatum
Native from Europe to the Caucasus. A perennial plant forming a clump up to 24 x 16 inches. The leaves emerge in spring and go dormant in mid summer. They are green with black blotches and are up to 11 x 7.5 inches in size. The flowers include a pale green spaethe up to 11 inches long. Hardy zones 5 to 8 ( 4 on protected sites ) in partial to full shade.



* photo taken on June 23 2013 in Washington, DC

Arum nigrum ( Balkan Black Arum )
A perennial, forming a compact, deciduous clump of foliage up to 10 inches in height, that is native to the Balkans in southeastern Europe.
The foliage is glossy deep green.
The flowers and spathes are deep purple.
Hardy zones 5b to 8 in full sun to partial shade on moist, well drained soil.

* photo of unknown internet source

Arum orientale
Native to rich woods from central and southeast Europe through the Caucasus. The foliage is deep green to 7 x 6.5 inches and the flowers include a pale purple spaethe up to 12 inches long.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 ( possibly 5 ). Loves cold and wet conditions.

Arum pictum ( Black Arum )
A clump forming perennial native to Italy reaching up to 12 x 12 inches in size. Attractive lush glossy deep green foliage to 12 x 7 inches that is purple when emerging in fall, later developing silver veins and retaining purple edges. Flowers include purple-black spaethe up to 10 inches long.
Native to Italy and hardy zones 6 to 9 ( possibly 5 )

Arum rupicola virescens
Reaches up to 40 inches.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 ( possibly 5 )