Erythronium hendersonii aka Henderson's Fawn Lily

Erythronium hendersonii is a bulb in the lily family. Its common name is Henderson's fawn lily. It comes from southwest Oregon and northwest California. This temperate plant grows on wooded slopes and forest openings. Its wild sites include dry woods at varied heights. It returns each year, then loses its leaves during dormancy.

Plants stand upright and form small tufts of growth. Most descriptions place their height near 1 foot [0.3 metres]. The RHS gives an upper garden height of 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. Its listed spread reaches 0.3 feet [0.1 metres]. Plants take two to five years to reach full size. The dark green leaves have brown or maroon blotches. Each leaf has an oval shape and a wavy edge. These marked leaves add interest before the flowers open.

The flowers nod on their stems in spring. Chicago Botanic Garden lists the bloom season as March to April. Their colour ranges from pale lilac to pink-lavender. Each stem can carry as many as ten flowers. Purple anthers stand above deep purple or yellow centres. The blooms and marked leaves suit planting beneath shrubs. The RHS also lists rock gardens, borders, and containers as uses. Woodland edges and shaded beds offer other suitable settings.

Choose partial shade and a sheltered spot for garden planting. The soil should be fertile, rich in humus, and well drained. This species accepts chalk, clay, loam, and sandy soils. It also tolerates acid, neutral, and alkaline conditions. Plant bulbs about 0.33 feet [0.1 metres] below the surface. Reduce watering after flowering, allowing the soil to dry in summer. Keep stored bulbs slightly damp rather than letting them dry out. The RHS rates its winter hardiness as H5. Chicago Botanic Garden lists USDA zones 3–9.

No pruning is needed, and disease problems are uncommon. Slugs may damage plants, so watch for their presence. Raise new plants from seed or divide them after flowering. The RHS warns that people and pets must not eat the bulbs. PFAF gives an edible rating based on broader genus information, not confirmed use of this species. That does not establish that these bulbs are safe food. PFAF lists no known medicinal or other uses.