Arum italicum

Arum italicum, the Italian Arum is endemic to a large swathe of Europe including the UK and Eire. Together with Arum maculatum, it is one of only two aroids native to the UK. It is also probably the hardiest of the aroids ... unlike Arum maculatum, Lysichiton and Symplocarpus - all of which have the good sense not to appear until after the worst of the frosts have passed - Arum italicum will often be showing its foliage through the coldest period of winter. 

The form offered here has pale whitish-green spathes, turning darker green, a prominent pale yellow spadix and large very handsome plain green foliage with strongly defined 'horns' on its sagittate leaves that are occasionally speckled with one or two yellow-white spots. The bright orange-red berries that follow are a plus.

Arum italicum is a fabulous 'no-fuss' aroid that combines well with a number of different planting combinations in a shady jungle or woodland setting. It will slowly naturalise and creates a trouble-free yet very exotic underplanting.