Two views of Arum in different seasons from the University of Tennessee Gardens in Knoxville. >>>download photo 1 >>>download photo 2
	December Tips
	Don't forget to make time between shopping trips and holiday parties to take care of your plants and landscape. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture recommends the following gardening-related chores be performed this month: : >>>read the article

by Dr. Susan Hamilton


A unique perennial for the winter landscape, Arum italicum is commonly known as Italian Arum. Italian Arum is a stemless, leafy woodland species native to Europe and Asia. Arum resembles Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema tryphyllum) in that it produces a flower that has two parts: a finger-like spadix covered with minute, creamy white flowers and a large, sheath-like green spathe (bract) that subtends and partially envelops the spadix like a hood. After blooming, the leaves and spathe die back leaving only the thick spadix which develops attractive, bright orange-red berries in summer.

Italian Arum produces an abundance of 8- to 12-inch-long variegated green and white leaves. Shaped like arrowheads, these leaves last until mid-May. The foliage has a thick leathery feel and is quite attractive and showy in the winter landscape.

Arum grows from between one foot to a foot and a half tall. Its generally has a spread similar to its height and forms clumps. After the flower dies down in late summer, new leaves emerge in autumn. These leaves make a valuable addition to the winter landscape as they remain evergreen through the following spring.

The Italian Arum needs part to full shade and prefers a moist but well-drained soil. A woodland area is a perfect location for growing Arum. Such a planting site usually provides all of the nutrients needed by Arum to grow well, so additional fertilizer is not recommended.

The colorful and showy foliage makes Arum such an attractive plant in the landscape. Arum is most effective when clumps are planted around rock outcroppings and old stumps providing a natural look. Arum is a wonderful foliage plant to combine with plantings of strong flowering wildflowers like columbine, woodland phlox, and bluebells. The dark green variegated foliage helps accentuate the flowers of companion plants.

One popular selection is A. italicum Marmoratum, which is noted for extremely large leaves marbled yellow along the veins.

On a final note, Arum is poisonous to eat. If you have it in your landscape, keep an eye on young children who might be tempted to graze.

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Submitted by Dr. Susan Hamilton, associate professor of plant sciences and director of the University of Tennessee Gardens. The UT Gardens are located on Neyland Drive in Knoxville. They are free and open to the public seven days a week during daylight hours.