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Erythronium dens-canis Snowflake

Erythronium dens canis Snowflake
Dog's tooth Violet

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Cdé in October 21, it is finishing its flowering in the Toulouse region, everything is going well.

Md, 04/04/2022

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This plant carries a 6 months recovery warranty

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Value-for-money
A lovely white-flowered variety of dog's-tooth violet. In  March-April, this charming little bulbous plant produces brown flower stems measuring 10 to 20cm (4 to 8in), bearing a downward-facing flower with recurved petals, revealing violet stamens. This hardy plant thrives in semi-shade and in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soils, where it naturalises easily. It goes dormant in summer, when its beautiful marbled brown-red foliage fades.
Flower size
3 cm
Height at maturity
12 cm
Spread at maturity
10 cm
Exposure
Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -23°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time September
Recommended planting time September to October
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Flowering time March to April
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Description

Erythronium dens-canis 'Snowflake' is a small bulbous plant native to the clear undergrowth of mountainous areas. It is little known to modern gardeners, despite its charm and cold resistance. It boasts a bright and delicate spring flowering, which takes the form of pendulous white flowers with violet stamens, tinged with purple and yellow in the throat. It is even more spectacular when planted in groups, or with other spring bulbs or perennials. To succeed in its cultivation, plant it in partial shade, in humus-rich, well-draining soil that is not too dry. 

 

Erythronium dens-canis belongs to a genus that includes about 27 species distributed worldwide. All these plants belong to the Liliaceae family, just like lilies. They are from the undergrowth and thrive in humiferous, rich, light, moist but not waterlogged, acidic, neutral or not excessively calcareous soils. Erythronium dens-canis, of European mountain origin, does not appreciate heatwaves or long dry summers.

'Snowflake' is a little slow to establish and its bulb does not like to be disturbed or kept dry for too long. In spring, the plant forms two leaves from which a flower stem emerges. The stem will not exceed 15cm (6in) in height. The somewhat soft and 'fleshy' thick leaves are ovate to oblong in shape, lanceolate, and sheathing at the base. The glaucous green lamina is shiny and somewhat marbled with purple or brown. In March-April, reddish-brown flower stems appear, each carrying a solitary flower hanging towards the ground, with 6 recurved petals, revealing 6 long violet anthered stamens. The white bulb is cylindrical, pointed and curved at one end, somewhat like a large canine tooth. For this reason, erythroniums are sometimes called 'dog's teeth'. The foliage dries up during summer, which corresponds to the bulb's resting period. The flowering is followed by the formation of small black and ochre seeds that will be exclusively dispersed by ants.  

 

Due to the disturbance of its habitat, and perhaps also the covetousness of rare plant enthusiasts, this dog's tooth violet has become quite rare in nature. It has given rise to beautiful horticultural forms, such as 'Snowflake', which are quite difficult to find in commerce. The bulbs are only available for a very short period. It is a charming plant, which you should plant as soon as you receive your order, as the bulbs do not like to be out of the ground for too long. It is an undemanding plant that settles quietly in the garden and naturalises when its happy. It is best to leave the bulbs in place. They will flower for many years if you provide them with a place in the undergrowth, under deciduous trees, or near an east-facing wall, in soil that does not excessively dry out. In summer, a layer of straw will prevent water evaporation and maintain a slight humidity. Plant 'Snowflake' with wood hyacinths (Scilla nutans), Anemone blanda or A. coronaria, liverworts, primroses or ranunculus that appreciate the same environments. You can also plant the bulbs in a pot, keeping the substrate always slightly moist, even in summer when the plant is dormant.

Erythronium dens-canis Snowflake in pictures

Erythronium dens-canis Snowflake (Flowering) Flowering
Erythronium dens-canis Snowflake (Foliage) Foliage
Erythronium dens-canis Snowflake (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 12 cm
Spread at maturity 10 cm
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time March to April
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 3 cm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour variegated

Botanical data

Genus

Erythronium

Species

dens canis

Cultivar

Snowflake

Family

Liliaceae

Other common names

Dog's tooth Violet

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference871031

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Planting and care

Plant as soon as you receive the bulbs. Plant in groups of 3 to 5, covered with 6cm (2in) of good soil enriched with compost. The soil should be moist but not waterlogged, even in summer (the bulb fears excessive drought and the plant hates heatwaves). Choose a semi-shaded exposure, at the base of deciduous trees and bushes or in east-facing beds, or in a slightly shaded rockery with soil that doesn't dry out too much. The plant needs light to bloom in spring, but its bulb appreciates resting in the shade in summer. Space the bulbs 8cm (3in) apart. They multiply easily by producing bulbils. Spontaneous sowings in the garden can also be observed, but the colour of the flowers is not guaranteed. This plant is cold-resistant. It tolerates a little bit of limestone in the soil if it's rich in leaf compost. Cover the plant stump with a thick layer of straw in summer to preserve soil moisture. Water occasionally if summer is dry.

Planting period

Best planting time September
Recommended planting time September to October
Planting depth 6 cm

Intended location

Suitable for Woodland edge, Undergrowth
Type of use Border, Edge of border, Container
Hardiness Hardy down to -23°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 30 per m2
Exposure Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil moisture Moist soil, well-drained, enriched with humus and compost.

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
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