Erythronium 'Pagoda'

We finally got the promised rain. And most of it fell during the night! The big drop in temperature that accompanied it will ensure the spring flowers last longer, even if we have to put our coats back on!

I'm planning to grow a lot more erythroniums and I hope this picture makes it obvious why. Elegant and brightly coloured, they add make an excellent addition to the late Spring display. 'Pagoda' is perhaps the easiest to please and also the cheapest to buy. I am raising a number of other species from seed, a slow process. They like a moisture retentive soil and do especially well in the cooler parts of the UK. I have seen great drifts of pink and white erythroniums in Scottish gardens.

This shot was taken with Jacinta's Nikon after a heavy shower which deposited enough hail to cover the soil like snow!