Lysichiton americanum
Stunning Lysichiton americanum or skunk cabbage has large, golden yellow spathes in early spring and large "tropical", 3 foot foliage.
It’s funny how we ignore our native skunk cabbage or swamp lantern (Lysichiton americanum) when the Brits make such stunning use of it in their gardens. A harbinger of spring in the wild, moist places of BC, these swamp lanterns lift their large, golden yellow spathes in early spring followed by large “tropical” foliage up to 3 feet feet long. Moist soil, bog gardens or containers without drainage. The stems and leaves are eaten by bears and elk, though you might not want to invite them into your garden. That being said, I still haven’t seen any large mega fauna in my Vancouver garden and my skunk cabbage remains unscathed. Possibly hard to zone 3.
Common Name: Skunk Cabbage
Family: Araceae (The Arum Family)
Zone Hardiness: 4-9
Light: Full Shade, Part Shade, Part Sun
Height: 2-4'
Width: 2-3'
Primary Bloom Colour: Yellow
Secondary Bloom Colour: Green
Bloom Time: Spring
Foliage Colour: Bluish, Green
Class: Deciduous
Type: Perennial
Soil Moisture: Moist, Wet, Wet
Stem Colour:
Fragrance: No
Berries:
Benefits:
Deer Resistant: Yes
BC Native: Yes
Native Habitat: Cool swamps, bogs, shaded vernal pools in forests, stream sides in northwestern North America including BC.
Award:
Geographical Origin: North America
