Arisaema are certianly not noted for their flamboyant flowers but they have a certain beauty (or bizareness!). Pictured here is Arisaema sikkokianum. I grew it from seed in 2000 and it literally appeared in bloom in my garden overnight (I swear I didn't even notice it until 3 days ago!)
I also have the standard A. triphylla. The only other one I have is A. consanquineum but it has yet to bloom.
This is A. serratum; even the leaves have an inky black tinge:
Here's A. heterophyllum; the plant is over five feet tall, and the spathe is about a foot long:
That A. serratum is wonderful! I'll have to add that one to my list.
A. urashima:
A. fargesii has my favorite foliage. The flowers are quite cool too, but sit at the base of the plant, so aren't as showy, but the foliage is so tropical (this is an immature plant; it gets huge).
Being in zone 5a you are encouraging me to try more. A. urashima is too freeky!
Some of these flowers really are odd, aren't they... but then our native Jack is not exactly your ordinary flower. You should try a few more Arisaemas; my climate is much harsher than yours, and I'd guess I grow twenty different kinds, with no special protection. Many of them are quite reasonably priced now, and seed is also more available.
Don
I love the Arisaemas. Right now I grow A. triphyllum and A. candidissimum.
I bought A. candidissimum on sale for about $8 last year. I was afraid to plant it outside because I had read conflicting reports on its hardiness. I am in zone 5b. To be safe I grew it in a pot and wintered it over in my garage. It has shown no sign of growth so I finally emptied the pot today and, to my amazement, it is starting to sprout! I am so excited. Has anyone grown this outside in zone 5b?
What are some reasonably priced sources for Arisaemas? I am particularly interested in finding A. sikkokianum.
A friend of mine is growing A. candidissimum in Newfoundland (zone 5b) with no problems....I hope to get seed from her this year. Arisaema are not too difficult from seed if you have the patience to wait 4-5 years (or longer) for a bloom. Wish more were as vigorous as A. triphylla...mine have gone crazy. You can buy them locally, but I've given away loads of them.
I ordered mine from Wayside Gardens in 2003. It was originally priced at $29.95 but I bought it on sale. I don't think I paid more than $7 or $8 for it. The first one they sent didn't grow at all, it just rotted in its pot. They sent a replacement the following spring that grew and bloomed that summer. That is the one that is just starting to sprout now.
I am on Wayside's mailing list and get notifications of special sales. I have gotten some really good deals over the years. Whenever I have had a problem with a plant not growing or being the wrong variety, they have always taken care of it immediately. I almost never pay full price; I always wait for at least 40% off unless it is something I just have to have and I am afraid it will sell out. I couldn't have afforded A. candidissimum at full price.
This is A. flavum:
This is A. heterophyllum, that I showed above, but this is a better picture:
You have quite the collection! Quite impressive.
