Arum dioscoridis (Disco Arum)

Sun to Part SunZone: 6-9, at least 12" tall Origin: Cypress, Turkey

Open House/Web-Only! If you're into swinging plants, disco arum is for you. This easy-to-grow species hails from Cypress and Turkey, where it comes alive in October with upright spade-shaped leaves. The leaves remain evergreen all winter but may get burned back in very cold spells. In late spring, the clumps are adorned with stunning spathe and spadix flowers. The dramatic purple-blotched spathe holds the purple and yellow-blotched spadix (not a social disease). Peter Boyce, author of The Genus Arum, described the floral fragrance as "a mixture of dung and rotting flesh." We'll have to trust Peter since we haven't so indulged. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)