Erythronium Species, Dog's-Tooth Violet, European Dog's Tooth Violet

Erythroniumdens-canis

Family
Liliaceae (lil-ee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Erythronium (er-ih-THROH-nee-um)
Species
dens-canis (denz KAN-iss)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Light Shade
Foliage
Deciduous
Smooth
Veined
Height
under 6 in. (15 cm)
Spacing
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Danger
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color
Pink
Lavender
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Alpines and Rock Gardens
Bulbs
Perennials
Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Des Moines, Iowa

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
2
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
A
(Zone 6b) | February 2016 | positive

Erythronium dens-canis is a native plant here in Austria. In gardens it blooms early in the year and needs shady place under shrubs or trees

S
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | November 2004 | neutral

I only want to add that when I first saw a photo of this plant, it looked as though the flower was bowing humbly. It's nodding habit is ...Read More

B
B
Baa
| October 2002 | neutral

This bulbous perennial is the only native European species, it is also found in parts of Western Asia.

Has oblong to strap...Read More

Featured
Black and Red Froghopper
(Cercopis vulnerata)
American White Pelican
(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
Featured
Black and Red Froghopper
(Cercopis vulnerata)
American White Pelican
(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)