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Arum Lily Problems

Ally5Ally5 Posts: 13
in Problem solving

I am a keen but new owner of a big garden.  One area is very shaded by 7 medium sized trees and bushes and a big monkey puzzle.  About six weeks ago, in among lily of the valley shoots and bluebells most of the area seemed to be shooting arum lillies as well.  The previous owner said that they had never been there before.  They grew to about 1' and flower buds formed.  However as they were monopolising the whole area and other flowers could not be seen I pulled about 2/3 of them up.  Now the flower buds on all the ones left appeared to have rotted.  Any suggestions gratefully received.

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 83,787

    Hi Ally image

    Can you post a picture to give us a bit  more information?


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • DaintinessDaintiness Posts: 980

    This sounds to me to not be Arum lilies - Zantedeschia but probably Arum maculatum - commonly  known as Lords and Ladies or cuckoo pint.(have a look at google images)The flower shape is similar to arum lilies but they are completely different plants. They are a British wild flower which can become a troublesome weed. Lords and ladies are prolific spreaders and can take over places. I would think glysophate is the best way to get rid of them. Let the leaves grow, remove by hand any flower spikes(to prevent seeding) and zap the leaves on a still day ensuring the spray does not hit surrounding plants - you may have to bruise the leaves first as they have a waxy coating which will prevent the chemical being absorbed!.

  • franco6832franco6832 Posts: 105

    awww, i planted a few clumps under my trampoline as an experiment for a woodland area.

    1. should i be worried?

    2. should i get rid of them?

    3. can they be kept in check?

     

    any help will be very much appreciated.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 83,787

    They die down in summer, just leaving the red berries (which are poisonous and attractive to birds and slugs).  I'm not one to get uptight about poisonous plants in gardens (as you'll have seen from other threads) but it's not really suitable for a play area image

    What about trying some Lamium http://www.plantify.co.uk/Lamium-maculatum-White-Nancy/plant-741?gclid=CNuEobyN1LcCFTMQtAodKTcAaQ or http://www.plants4less.co.uk/lamium-maculatum-beacon-silver-82-p.asp?gclid=CPjCt86N1LcCFTMdtAodFVUA_w under the trampoline? 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Ally5Ally5 Posts: 13

    Are they poisonous for cats?

  • franco6832franco6832 Posts: 105

    thanks, dovefromabove, i have already loaded the place with all sorts. fritallaria, daffs,crocus,ferns,forget me nots,anemones,muscari,lily of the valley,snowdrops,cyclamen  and primroses.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 83,787

    Sounds gorgeous Franco image

    Ally, they may well not be good for cats if they ate them, but I've never known a cat to be interested in them -  I grew up on a farm where arums grew everywhere in the hedges, ditches and woods - none of the cats paid them the slightest heed - small birds and mice were much more interesting - I wouldn't worry image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • OnegloveOneglove Posts: 1

    Last year I dug up an Arum lilly when moving house.  There were hundreds of tiny corms so I gave lots to my brother and planted them all over my garden, then got fed up of planting and chucked the rest in one hole in a sunny spot.  My brother lost all his and I had no showings from those I'd carefully planted - in semi shade.   The ones I'd chucked in a hole thrived and I now have over 50 small plants that I've potted on and have given loads away. I had a look at pictures of Lords and Ladies but nope, def an Arum.  So my advice is "tough love".   image

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