Erythronium 'Pagoda', Pagoda fawn lily
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Perennials

Erythronium 'Pagoda'

Pagoda fawn lily

Liliaceae

At a Glance

TypeBulb
HabitClumping
FoliageDeciduous
Height10–14 inches (25–35 cm)
Width4–8 inches (10–20 cm)
Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 9
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Erythronium 'Pagoda' is a vigorous garden hybrid fawn lily in the family Liliaceae, a cross between Erythronium tuolumnense and E. californicum 'White Beauty' introduced in the Netherlands in the 1950s. It is among the most widely grown and reliable ornamental Erythronium cultivars, prized for its exceptional vigor, prolific flowering, and ease of cultivation compared to many pure species. Plants grow 10–14 inches (25–35 cm) tall, producing two to three broad, glossy, deep green leaves mottled with brown, bronze, and maroon markings. From mid-spring, each stem carries three to ten or more nodding, starry flowers with six reflexed sulfur-yellow tepals, each with a small brown or orange spot at the base, held well above the foliage in an airy tiered arrangement — the pagoda-like display that inspired the cultivar name. Bulbs multiply freely by offsets, establishing naturalized drifts in suitable woodland conditions within a few years. Plants are fully summer-dormant from midsummer onward. 'Pagoda' has received the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit.

Native Range

Not native; a garden hybrid of horticultural origin, bred from Erythronium tuolumnense (native to the Sierra Nevada foothills of California) and E. californicum 'White Beauty'. Has no native range but naturalizes readily in suitable temperate woodland garden conditions in the Pacific Northwest and similar climates.

Suggested Uses

'Pagoda' is the most recommended Erythronium for Pacific Northwest woodland gardens where a reliable, long-blooming yellow fawn lily is desired. Its multi-flowered stems and vigorous naturalizing habit make it the most impactful of the cultivated fawn lilies for mass planting under deciduous trees. Plant in generous drifts for best effect. Combines beautifully with blue or white spring-blooming companions including Brunnera macrophylla, Pulmonaria, Dicentra formosa, and native Trillium. Outstanding cut flower for late spring arrangements.

How to Identify

'Pagoda' is identified by its broad, glossy, deep green basal leaves mottled with brown, bronze, or maroon — bolder and glossier than most species. The characteristic feature is the stem carrying multiple flowers (3–10+) simultaneously, each nodding with six reflexed sulfur-yellow tepals with a small orange-brown basal spot, held well above the foliage. The tiered, multi-flowered arrangement on a single stem, combined with large glossy mottled leaves and clear yellow flowers, is diagnostic for this cultivar.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10" - 1'2"
Width/Spread4" - 8"

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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Spring
'Pagoda' blooms in mid to late spring, typically April through May in Pacific Northwest gardens. Established clumps with multiple stems can produce 10 or more flowers per stem, extending the display as successive blooms open over two to four weeks. Plants establish and begin flowering in the first or second year after planting from offset divisions; it is considerably faster to reach bloom than many pure species. Plants go summer-dormant from June onward.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Sulfur-yellow with small orange-brown basal spot

Foliage Description

Deep glossy green mottled with brown, bronze, and maroon

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade
Full Shade
Requires 1-4 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 Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaypeat
Drainage
moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1–2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant 'Pagoda' corms or offset divisions in autumn, 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) deep in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil in partial shade beneath deciduous trees. The cultivar is more adaptable than most Erythronium species and tolerates a wider range of soil conditions, including heavier clay soils, provided drainage is adequate. Keep soil consistently moist from planting through spring bloom; allow to dry out somewhat during summer dormancy. Top-dress annually with compost or leaf mould. Clumps multiply freely by offsets and can be divided in early summer just as foliage yellows; replant divisions immediately without allowing them to dry. No fertilization is required in organically rich soil.

Pruning

No pruning is required during the growing season. Allow foliage to yellow and wither naturally as plants enter summer dormancy in June or July; do not remove while green. Divide overcrowded clumps by lifting them just as foliage begins to yellow and replanting offset corms immediately at the same depth. Mark planting positions clearly, as plants are invisible from midsummer through late winter.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Unknown