Erythronium montanum

AVALANCHE LILY

Erythronium montanum
AVALANCHE LILY

Erythronium montanum is one of the delights of spring.
With white star-like blooms, cheery yellow centre eyes and long dangling golden anthers.

An avalanche of white stars

Erythronium montanum multiplies well, and so it soon creates drifts of white stars, just like an avalanche of ice crystals in spring. Hence the common name of Avalanche Lily

The connoisseur’s Erythronium

Erythronium montanum is perhaps the most treasured and sought after of all the beautiful Erythronium family
Because the star flowers are so large, glistening crystal white, with the petals only slightly reflexing at the tips.
So the stars are exceptionally showy, and each stem bears up to 5 starry flowers.
And when they bloom on mass – it is a breath taking sight.

Breathtaking in shade gardens

Erythronium montanum will cheerfully multiply with offsets as well as self-seed, once they are established in a suitable happy place.
Making a breath taking sight in the shaded garden during spring.
They love massing under trees and shrubs. Including under conifers as they do in the wild.

Then helpfully flowers and foliage disappear away cleanly at the end of spring.
As the Erythroniums go into their summer dormancy.
So you don’t need to worry about summer heat or water-stress, and they can be left to quietly multiply by themselves.

Low care & easy maintenance

Erythroniums do not need to be dug, lifted or divided.
And will co-habit happily interplanted with later spring blooming perennials such as Aquilegias. Which cover the spot the Erythroniums have left vacant.

Erythronium montanum is a bulbous perennial.
Growing naturally in the dappled and filtered light under trees and shrubs, in conifer or deciduous woodlands. Sometimes in quite rocky situations, so it clearly appreciates drainage, as well as humus rich soil.

Easily pleased in the shade

Erythronium montanum appreciates a range of soils from lighter, sandy types to garden loam with good drainage; and a variety of soil pH, from acid to alkaline.
It is not a thirsty bulb so does not take a lot of water.
Instead just likes a consistent moisture level, without being water-logged or really dried out.

Robustly frost hardy

Sturdy little Erythroniums are not the slightest bit frost tender.

SEED SOWING ADVICE:

Erythronium montanum is best sown in a punnet in autumn or winter.
Because a period of chilling is required.

First soak the seeds in warm (not boiling) water and leave to stand overnight.

Then sow the seed in a punnet on good quality seed raising mix.
And barely just cover with sieved mix, sand, grit, or vermiculite.
Because light aids germination.
Thoroughly moisten the mix.

Give a winter chill

Now you can place the sown punnet outdoors in a shaded position (no direct sunlight) to receive the necessary 3 months winter chilling.
Or you can do the chilling by placing the plastic wrapped punnet in a fridge for 12 weeks.
If you are placing the sown punnet outdoors to let nature do the job – than you will need to wrap the punnet in fine wire mesh or net, to prevent birds and mice from scratching and eating.

After 12 weeks return the punnet to a well-lit, cool position.
And continue to keep moist.
Temperatures around 10C are best for rapid and optimum germination.

Then seeds sprout rapidly as the spring progresses.

Seed Count: 6 seeds per pack approx. (Seed of this beautiful plant is scarce).

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