Guide to growing garden plants - Arum (Cuckoopint)
Plants in the genus Arum can either be half-hardy or hardy perennials.
Some of the common names for the plants include Cuckoopint and Lords-and-Ladies.
Arum plants typically flower from early to mid spring.
Description of Cuckoopint - Arum
Arum plants are often compact in size. They are usually upright with arrow shaped leaves and elegant pitcher shaped flowers. They are a great plant to grow near water features.
How to grow Cuckoopint
It is best to sow Arum seeds outdoor in the autumn at a depth of 30mm; if growing from tubers, then they should be buried at a depth of 7 to 8cm. If you intend to start seedlings off inside, then seeds
should be prepared 12 weeks before they are due to be planted out (in the spring or autumn). Cuckoopint can take from between one to six months to germinate, and ideally should be germinated at a temperature of 13 to 18 degrees Celsius.
Seedlings should be transplanted at a distance of 30 to 45cm apart in either sunny or partially shaded areas of the garden (in hot summers, Arum may need to be shaded in the afternoon for protection). The soil should be cool, humus rich and moist.
Caring for Arum
During growth the soil that Arum (cuckoopint, lords and ladies) is grown in should be kept moist. The soil should be kept cool by mulching and the plant should be regularly fertilised. The plant is able to self seed, but tubers can be divided in the autumn if more plants are required.
