Arum italicum subsp. italicum Marmoratum (Italian Arum)

Arum italicum subsp. italicum ‘Marmoratum’ (Italian Arum) is a tuberous perennial with attractive flowers reminiscent of Arisaema tryphyllum (Jack-in-the-Pulpit). Appearing in the spring, each flower consists of a large greenish-yellow spathe with a yellow spadix and gives way to showy spikes of glistening, bright orange-red berries in summer.

Arum italicum subsp. italicum 'Marmoratum' (Italian Arum) is a tuberous perennial with attractive flowers reminiscent of Arisaema tryphyllum (Jack-in-the-Pulpit). Appearing in the spring, each flower consists of a large greenish-yellow spathe with a yellow spadix and gives way to showy spikes of glistening, bright orange-red berries in summer. The first leaves appear just as the berries vanish. Large, arrow-shaped, glossy gray-green, 8-12 in. long (20-30 cm), they are handsomely mottled with creamy white. Impervious to even the most dreadful weather, they remain attractive from winter into spring. The foliage goes dormant in summer, before emerging again in the fall.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM) of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • This clump-forming perennial grows up to 12-18 in. high and wide (30-45 cm). Italian arum will naturalize slowly in woodland
  • Performs best in part shade to full shade, in humusy, moist, well-drained soils. Wet soil tolerant.
  • Excellent in shaded beds and borders, underplanting shrubs or roses.
  • Generally disease and pest free, this plant requires little maintenance.
  • Division of clumps of tubers should take place after flowering. Alternatively, propagate by seed sown in fall having removed the fleshy pulp
  • All parts are highly toxic by ingestion.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
  • Arum italicum species is native to Europe, Asia and Northern Africa.
  • Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
  • Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.

Requirements

Hardiness 6
– 9

Heat Zones 3
– 9

Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Arum
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter
Height 1'
– 2'
(30cm
– 60cm)
Spread 1'
– 2'
(30cm
– 60cm)
Spacing 18″ (45cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow