Arum italicum. Do you grow it??

Hi, bulbsters,

Maybe you can give me some tips?

I am looking for a nice easy care ground cover type plant for under bushes and semi shady spots to keep weeds at bay. I was wondering what you think about Arum italicum?

I see Brent & Becky sell the bulbs and wonder how difficult they are to get started? http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/spring/productview/?sku=06-0101

I do have one plant of it that I bought from the nursery a couple of years ago and it doesn't seem to grow very big. But maybe if I plant a bunch of bulbs they will thrive and have more presence?

Any thoughts?

Thanks. t.

I have a couple very small ones that haven't grown much at all for me in the two years I've had them. But I just received a huge one from a recent DG Swap. I was so surprised at the size of the plant. I think they are beautiful plants but you do know that the leaves of the plant fade away for most of the summer. Leaving only the spike. I wouldn't think they would work for what you want.
Here is a plant file link that will give you some info.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/55580/

thanks, Holly, for the link. Funny thing, when I searched PF for Arum I got a different page with just one comment (that one was negative)) and now I see there are a number of comments about Arum that I missed before. Lots of them negative.

I always thought it was a nice plant, at least the one that I have. And no, I didn't recall that it was nude in the summer. Mine is kind of hidden away and I seldom notice it.

Thanks again. t.

Oh, I think it is a beautiful plant and my intention was not to dissuade you from planting it. Just wasn't sure that it would work well as a ground cover. There are several different varieties of Arum the link I sent was the Lords and Ladies Arum italicum 'Marmoratum' which only has one neutral comment. I enjoy quite a few aggressive growers in my gardens for me it is a mater of knowing what I may be getting into as far as maintenance needs and I also have several plants that are poisonous that would also be an issue for some gardeners.

Did you grow yours from bulbs/corms?

And do you plant them now?

I picked up my first one up at a Master Gardener plant sale, and then the other two came from a DG swap. So I started with plants and haven't tried just planting bulbs.