|
Arisaema (Cobra Lily, Jack-in-the-Pulpit)
We are very excited to offer a large selection (more selections on-line) of these fascinating woodland wonders. Once you get started collecting these bizarre beauties, we predict you will settle for nothing less than the full complement. Our offerings are all blooming-sized tubers/rhizomes...not tiny seedlings. Unlike the native A. triphyllum, which prefers moist soils, almost all of the Asian species require excellent soil drainage. |
Arisaema kiushianum (Japanese Cobra Lily)
Part Sun to Light Shade Zone: 6b-9 15" tall Origin: Japan
Web-Only!
Arisaema kiushianum has proven to be one of the easiest of the cobra lilies to grow. It also multiplies well, so you can divide the clump after a few seasons and share with your friends. The cutest member of the genus boasts a solitary leaf with 7-13 leaflets that sits atop a 15" tall green petiole (stalk). The stunning 8" tall flower emerges from the ground beside the petiole in late April (NC). The narrow tip of the flower pitcher (spathe) folds over on itself. The inside of the pitcher is dark purple-and-white striped with a dramatic white T-mark engraved in the back. The long, whip-like tongue (spadix) extends 6" out from the pitcher in hopes of luring insects...for sexual purposes only! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02268
|
Arisaema ringens (Japanese Cobra Lily)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-9a 24" tall Origin: China, Japan, Korea alternate image
Web-Only!
It's hard to imagine anything more spectacular than this easy-to-grow tropical-looking cobra lily. Sitting between the two giant glossy, green, trifoliate leaves on a short petiole (stalk) in early spring is the spectacular cobra-like flower. The thick, purple and white striped spathe resembles a perfectly formed cobra head as the tip of the flower curls downward, revealing the glossy, purple interior and two "cobra eyes." Looking at the flower from the front is enough to give you mongoose bumps. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02531
SOLD OUT |
Arisaema ringens 'Black Mamba' (Black Mamba Cobra Lily)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 5-9a 20" tall Origin: China, Japan, Korea
Arisaema ringens 'Black Mamba' is a clone that we selected many years ago for having the most intensely black-purple stalk that we had seen with this species. This is only the second time that we have had enough to share. Just as with the species, A. 'Black Mamba' emerges early in the season...March in NC. The near-black stems emerge with the leaves tucked in behind the cobra head-shaped inflorescence. Just as the leaves unfurl, the sinister flower head is presented for all to see. This fast multiplying clone makes a 2' wide clump...best in fertile but well-drained garden soils. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05646
SOLD OUT |
Arisaema saxatile (Chinese Cobra Lily)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 6-9a 15" tall Origin: China
Web-Only!
This lovely little arisaema from China emerges in late May in NC with two leaves of 5-7 leaflets. Between the two leaves emerges a 15" petiole (stalk) that is topped in early June with a lovely, small white pitcher from which emanates a 6-9" long, dark green tongue that hangs downward like a dog that's chased far too many cars. The flower gives off a delightful lemony scent...a nice change for a group whose close relatives are known for a more offensive body odor. A. saxatile has proven to be a great garden performer, reliably returning and flowering each season. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02833
|
Arisaema sikokianum (Japanese Cobra Lily)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8 15" tall Origin: Japan
A. sikokianum is considered the most stunningly beautiful member of the genus Arisaema...make that the entire plant kingdom! From an underground tuber in early spring (early April in NC), the dark pitcher and two five-lobed leaves emerge on a 1' tall fleshy petiole (stalk). As the pitcher opens, it reveals a swollen, pure white marshmallow-like protrusion (spadix), which provides a dramatic contrast with the purple of the pitcher. After flowering, the foliage remains attractive until it goes dormant in late summer. A. sikokianum prefers a well-drained dry site in the garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01850
|
Arisaema sikokianum Silver Center (Japanese Cobra Lily)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8 15" tall Origin: Japan
We have again selected special forms of A. sikokianum with dramatic silver patterns in the center of their leaves. In addition to the dramatic purple-black pitcher with contrasting colors inside, you now have the additional interest of attractive leaf patterns. Good drainage is essential for best results. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02528
|
Arisaema speciosum 'Himalayan Giant' (Himalayan Giant Cobra Lily)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 7-8, at least 30" tall Origin: India
Web-Only!
Everyone who sees this in our garden shakes their head in disbelief. This amazing form of A. speciosum, which often goes by the invalid name of A. speciosum v. magnificum, is simply a giant race of A. speciosum discovered in India. From one end of the unusual cigar-shaped rhizome (plant horizontally), the new growth emerges in late spring. The 30" tall cobra-marked stalk is topped with three dark green, heavily textured leaflets each edged in red. The flower, which arises from the base on a short stalk in early May (NC), is composed of a wine-purple and white-striped hood, holding a whitish-pink spadix that starts out sturdy and thick and becomes nothing more than a crumpled red thread at the end...obviously a rough night. Well-drained soils during the dormant period are the key to success with A. speciosum. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07474
|
Arisaema taiwanense (Taiwan Cobra Lily)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 6b-9a, possibly hardier 30" tall Origin: Taiwan alternate image
Web-Only!
If you haven't grown A. taiwanense, you haven't lived! This stunning cobra lily emerges in spring as a thick, 30" tall, snakeskin-colored stalk of light green with dark black blotches. Atop the stem sits a perfectly radial leaf, with 1' long leaflets, emerging like spokes on a wheel, each ending as a drooping thread. The flower emerges from the ground to form a giant grim reaper-like black-purple hood with a long threadlike tongue emerging from the front...bizarrely wonderful. (Original collections from Bleddyn and Sue Wynn-Jones (#BSWJ1879) in Taiwan.) Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02802
SOLD OUT |
Arisaema taiwanense 'Silver Heron' (Pewter-leaf Taiwan Cobra Lily)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 6b-9a, possibly hardier 30" tall Origin: Taiwan
This unique form of Arisaema taiwanense was brought into cultivation by Crug Farms and Heronswood Nursery in 1997 but has remained in short supply. Throughout the wild populations in Taiwan, there are isolated individuals with pewter leaves instead of the typical green. These pewter leaf plants make stunning garden specimens, with their giant radial leaves atop the 30" tall snakeskin-patterned stems. The macabre, black-striped hooded flowers emerge alongside the new leaves. The new leaves emerge green but quickly change to pewter, so don't panic. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05809
|
Arisaema tortuosum (Whipcord Cobra Lily)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 6-9, at least 50" tall Origin: Himalayas
Web-Only!
Here is one of the true conversation pieces of the aroid world. The thick, 4' tall, fleshy petiole (stalk) emerges in early June, adorned by two tropical-looking, palmate green leaves near the top. As the leaves unfurl, the pitcher that tops the stem opens to reveal a green Jack-in-the-pulpit flower, but with a whip-like tongue that extends from the mouth of the flower upwards to 12 or more inches...it don't get much weirder than this...a flower arranger's dream, and an anal-retentive gardener's nightmare! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01383
|
Arisaema triphyllum (Jack-In-The-Pulpit)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 4-9 24" tall Origin: USA
Web-Only!
A. triphyllum is one of our favorite NC natives. This hardy aroid emerges in very early spring with a solitary stalk of three leaves and a wild-looking flower. If pollination of the flower occurs, you will have a 12" tall stalk of bright red berries as the plant goes summer dormant. As the common name indicates, the hooded pitcher-like flower has an appendage that resembles a preacher in the pulpit...I bet this one was named during one heck of a hangover! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01429
SOLD OUT |
Arisaema triphyllum 'Black Jack' (Black Jack-in-the- Pulpit)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 6-9, possibly colder 12" tall Origin: USA
I fell to my knees when I first saw this plant at Woodlanders Nursery in SC, and visitors to our garden have continued this tradition. Discovered by native plant guru Bob McCartney on one of his many jaunts through FL, this selection of our native Jack-in-the-pulpit has shiny black foliage with a few green veins. For us, it emerges slightly later (mid-May) than most A. triphyllum. The 1' tall clumps are adorned in late spring with "pulpits" that also have a stunning black spathe. We have found that A. 'Black Jack' also spreads slightly by underground stolons. To be able to finally share this with the public is truly a dream come true. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05778
|
Arisaema triphyllum 'Starburst' (Starburst Jack-in-the-Pulpit)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-8, at least 22" tall Origin: USA
NEW!
This amazing selection of our native Jack-in-the-pulpit comes from plantsman Paul James of VA. This vigorous, fast-multiplying selection emerges in spring with trifoliate leaves adorned with silver-white veins. There are at least three other silver-veined forms, but none that we have seen rival the vigor of this selection. The 22" tall clumps are adorned in early spring with green "Jack" flowers. A. 'Starburst' prefers moist woodland conditions and will go dormant by late summer. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07201
|
Arisaema urashima (Cobra Lily)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-8 15" tall Origin: Japan alternate image
Web-Only!
(syn: A. thunbergii ssp. urashima) Each 15" tall, dusty purple stalk of A. urashima is topped by one horizontal leaf with 11-15 narrow leaflets (wider than A. thunbergii) radiating out from a central horseshoe-shaped base. In midspring, the flower emerges from the main stalk with a purple pitcher. The top cover narrows to a point that hangs over the front of the pitcher. From inside emerges a purple, whip-like tail extending upward to nearly 18"...a true dominatrix moment! A. urashima is very easy to grow and offsets well, unlike many of its cousins. A. urashima is best in typical to dry woodland conditions.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02663
SOLD OUT |
| <Arisaema I] | [Aristolochia - Asphodelus> |
