yellow trout-lily
Erythronium americanum
PC 2005
USDA zones3 to 9
SunHandles partial sun to full shade
WaterHandles dry to wet soil
Size3 to 6 inches tall3 to 6 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Bloom color
- Yellow
- Foliage color
- Brown/copper, green, purple/lavender
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acidic (pH<6.8)
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Yellow trout-lily (Erythronium americanum) is a perennial for shade gardens, woodland settings, naturalized areas, and ground cover. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes part sun to full shade and dry to wet soil of most types. Nodding yellow flowers open in early to late spring above leaves mottled with brown. It sits low on the menu for deer. The plant goes dormant before summer, so grow it near late-emerging perennials like Hosta and toadlilies.
Pairs well with Eastern columbine, Canadian white violet, and Wintergreen.
Native range
Eastern North America.