Lords and ladies: planting, dividing and storing the tuber

Store	Tuber. Knobbly, with eyes or dimples; solid when cut.
Depth	10 cm to the base of the tuber
Spacing	20-30 cm apart
When	Plant in autumn. Plant: from your first autumn frost to 6 weeks after. Work out your dates.
Pets	Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses (ASPCA)

Store

Tuber. Knobbly, with eyes or dimples; solid when cut.

Depth

10 cm to the base of the tuber

Spacing

20-30 cm apart

When

Plant in autumn. Plant: from your first autumn frost to 6 weeks after. Work out your dates.

Pets

Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses (ASPCA)

About Lords and ladies

Tubers send up winter leaves and an autumn spike of orange berries. All parts irritate the mouth.

Depth and spacing

Typical range: 10 cm deep and 20-30 cm apart. A general rule is to plant at two to three times the height of the tuber; check the label for your variety. The drawing is to scale for 10 cm deep and 25 cm apart (the size of the organ is illustrative); try your own measurements.

When to plant

Plant in autumn. Plant: from your first autumn frost to 6 weeks after. These are rules of thumb for the northern hemisphere. Enter your frost dates for real dates.

Dividing and propagating

Lift tubers in summer when dormant and split.

Lifting and storing

Plant promptly.

Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses

The ASPCA lists Arum maculatum as: toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses. Toxic principle: Insoluble calcium oxalates. Signs: Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing If your pet has chewed any part, call your vet or an animal poison helpline. ASPCA entry.

Lords and ladies