Plant of the week

Lords-and-ladies: Arum italicum is better known for its spires of vivid berries than for its foliage, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from growing it for its attractive leaves alone. This is a plant that likes a moist but welldrained humus-rich soil and partial shade. It’s very hardy and can happily look after itself, keeping its leaves close to the ground. To propagate, lift and split clumps or plant tubers after it has finished flowering. Just one word of warning – all parts of Arum italicum are poisonous.