Arum italicum 'marmoratum' (commonly named "Lords and Ladies") is by far the strangest plant in my garden. It's backwards, and beautiful.
arum italicum 'marmoratum'
My arums are growing in full to part shade on the north side of my zone 7 home. The soil is fairly dry as it is lives under the eaves of the house. It has rhizome-like roots, buried very deep in the soil. It's height and spread: about 12" tall and forms large clumps with time. It's leaves resemble caladiums or elephant ears in appearance (heart-shaped and attractive) . . . but, they aren't as colorful; only green with light green veins. The leaves produce paper-thin white spathes which both die back. The leaves are followed by rattle-like green spikes lined with green berries. The berries turn blaze-orange with time.
Pretty plant, but why is it backwards and strange? Timing. The leaves appear in early fall and stay green all winter long. The white spathes appear in spring and the orange berries in late spring. The plant dies with the beginning of summer.
Different and wonderful. Try it out in your garden for winter interest. By the way, I plant summer shade annuals (like impatiens and coleus) over the arum for the summer.
[Two words of warning here. 1. If you leave the orange berries to die back the plant will multiply and spread. 2. Removing the orange berries requires care - the plant "juices" are very irritating/burning to the skin. Wear gloves. Wash hands and arms immediately after handling the plant.]
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