Arisaema utile

Arisaema utile is like huge burgundy butterflies in the shade garden with dramatic foliage. A dramatic cobra lily.

Arisaema utile is a gorgeous Himalayan species has a dark purple spathe-tube with raised, white veins. The huge, shiny, silky purple spathe-limb looks like large butterfly wings. The trifoliate leaves have red, wavy margins and prominent purplish veins underneath. Hooker, an early explorer in Sikkim, observed this species ”surrounded by a luxuriant vegetation of most beautiful rhododendrons in full flower, willow, white rose, white-flowered cherry, thorn, maples, and birch.” Sounds like a Vancouver garden! Arisaema are known as cobra lilies or jack-in-the-pulpits. There are only two North American species but many in Asia. They grow in moist, shaded, forested habitats and are great for adding cool foliage and floral intrigue in the shade or woodland garden where they can rise up and through other shade plants. In colder climates they can be grown in pots and protected in winter. Keep just above freezing. In pots, plant in a moist but free-draining mix of coarse bark and pumice or perlite. Pull back on watering when dormant.

Common Name:  Cobra Lily - [Summer B&B Pre-Order]

Family:  Araceae (The Arum Family)

Zone Hardiness:  7-9

Light:  Part Shade, Part Sun

Height:  12-24"

Width:  12-24"

Primary Bloom Colour:  Purple

Secondary Bloom Colour:  White

Foliage Colour:  Green

Class:  Deciduous

Type:  Perennial

Bloom Time:  Spring

Soil Moisture:  Moist, Average

Stem Colour:  

Fragrance:  No

Berries:  

Benefits:  

Deer Resistant:  Unknown

BC Native:  No

Native Habitat:  Moist mixed woodland and rhododendron forests, 2400-4300m.

Award:  

Geographical Origin: