Arisaema candidissimum (Chinese Cobra Lily)
This charming tuberous perennial bursts from the ground in late spring – early summer with highly elegant, white, luminous hooded spathes, striped pale pink. Besides the exotic beauty of its blooms, Arisaema candidissimum (Chinese Cobra Lily) also emits a sweet perfume, which lasts for a short while after the spathe unfolds.
This charming tuberous perennial bursts from the ground in late spring – early summer with highly elegant, white, luminous hooded spathes, striped pale pink. Besides the exotic beauty of its blooms, Arisaema candidissimum (Chinese Cobra Lily) also emits a sweet perfume, which lasts for a short while after the spathe unfolds. The foliage of huge, three-lobed leaves (up to 2 ft. across or 60 cm) usually appears after the flowers, and remains attractive during the growing season. Cobra Lilies set seed with bright orange-red seed pods in late summer to early fall and may eventually form large colonies if happy. They are found growing on sunny, rocky banks in the wild.
- Awarded the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society
- Grows in clumps, up to 16 in. high (40 cm) and 9 in. wide (22 cm), this beauty naturalizes easily and will come back year after year!
- Easily grown in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils in full sun or part shade. Prefers sandy, loose soils. Make sure tubers do not dry out when dormant
- Deer resistant
- Stunning in beds, borders, underplanting shrubs or roses, cottage gardens.
- Virtually disease free. Watch for slugs and vine weevil
- Propagate by seed, sowing them in containers in a cold frame in autumn or spring. Offsets may be removed in late summer
Requirements
| Hardiness | 5 – 9 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Bulbs, Perennials |
| Plant Family | Arisaema – Jack in the Pulpit |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Late)Summer (Early) |
| Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
| Spread | 6" – 9" (15cm – 22cm) |
| Spacing | 6″ – 9″ (15cm – 22cm) |
| Depth | 8" (20cm) |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy |
| Tolerance | Deer |
| Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |





