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Erythronium spp.

fawn lilies

Liliaceae

North America, Europe, and Asia; richest in western North America

Attracts Pollinators

SunPart Shade – Full Sun

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 3–8

Overview

Erythronium is a genus of about 30 species of spring-flowering bulbs in the lily family (Liliaceae), found in temperate woodlands of North America, Europe, and Asia. The greatest number of species grows in western North America. Each plant rises from a deep, tooth-shaped corm and produces one or two basal leaves, 2–8 inches (5–20 cm) long, that in many species are mottled with brown or bronze markings, giving rise to the names fawn lily and trout lily. Flowering stems reach 4–14 inches (10–35 cm) and carry one to several nodding flowers with six tepals that curve backward; tepal colour ranges from yellow and white to pink and purple depending on the species. Plants are spring ephemerals: they emerge, flower, and set seed early in the season, then die back to the corm by midsummer as the tree canopy closes overhead. Colonies build up slowly, spreading by offset corms and by seed that is often carried by ants. Because the leaves disappear for most of the year, plants are easy to disturb accidentally once dormant. Erythronium grows in cool, humus-rich soil under deciduous trees and needs a period of winter cold to flower.

Native Range

Erythronium is native to temperate woodlands across North America, Europe, and Asia, with the richest diversity in the Pacific states of North America. Species grow in deciduous and coniferous forest, mountain meadows, and streamsides.

Suggested Uses

Erythronium is grown in woodland gardens, shaded borders, and naturalistic plantings beneath deciduous trees and shrubs. It combines with other spring woodland plants such as Trillium and Anemone. Some compact species are grown in alpine troughs and pots in cold frames.

How to Identify

Identify Erythronium by the pair of basal leaves, often mottled with brown or bronze, and the leafless stalk bearing nodding flowers with six strongly reflexed tepals. The six stamens hang below the flower, and the fruit is a three-chambered capsule. Plants appear in early spring and vanish by summer.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 1'2"

Width/Spread4" - 8"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Flowering occurs in early to mid spring, often before the surrounding trees come into leaf, and lasts about two to three weeks in a given colony. Flowers open in sun and partly close in dull weather or at night. Bees are the main pollinators, after which seed ripens quickly and the plant dies back.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellow, white, pink, or purple

Foliage Description

Green, often mottled brown or bronze

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Sun

Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam peat

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow Erythronium in cool, moist, humus-rich soil in partial shade, replicating the leaf-litter floor of a deciduous wood. Plant the corms deep, about 4–6 inches (10–15 cm), in late summer or autumn while they are dormant, and keep them from drying out. Soil should stay moist through spring growth but may dry somewhat once the plants go dormant in summer. The corms need winter cold to flower and grow across USDA zones 3 to 8. Established colonies are slow to spread and are intolerant of being lifted or divided except when fully dormant. Slugs can damage the emerging leaves and flowers in wet springs.

Pruning

Erythronium needs no pruning. The foliage is left to die down naturally after flowering so the corm can store energy for the next season. Spent flower stalks may be removed if self-seeding is not wanted.