Erythronium oregonum
Oregon fawn lily is a stunning spring ephemeral noteworthy both for its creamy white flowers and its deeply mottled leaves. Buds open during April or May into nodding 2-inch star-shaped blooms whose tepals curl upward away from the dangling stamens. Thick basal leaves have brown dappled markings reminiscent of a fawn’s coat, inspiring this perennial’s common name. (Oregon Flora Project)
- Plant type/canopy layer: deciduous perennial herbaceous plant/ground layer
- Size at maturity: 1' tall, 6-8" wide
- Light requirements: full sun, part sun / part shade
- Moisture requirements: moist soil, prefers well-drained
- Bloom Time: March - June
- Growth rate/ease: moderate growth rate and difficulty
- Wildlife support: adult butterflies/nectar source, bees and other insect pollinators (Oregon Flora Project)
- Native habitat/range: Found in meadows and open woodlands up to 1800 meters in western OR from the Coast Range to the Cascades, north through WA to British Columbia. Portland Plant List - yes.
- Special features & uses: groundcover
Gardening with White Fawn Lily: White Fawn Lily is a perennial bulb that blooms in spring then dies back completely. In a natural setting, it typically forms a carpet of breathtaking blooms - so be sure to plant in bulk if you’d like this effect. Interplant with other herbaceous plants, shrubs and/or ferns to compliment the look and fill the space once the fawn lily is finished for the season.
Photo Credit 1: "Erythronium" by fawnlilylanah is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Photo Credit 2: "Erythronium oregonum (Giant White Fawnlily)" by brewbooks is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo Credit 3: "Fawn Lily" by born1945 is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Photo Credit 4: "sh8 growing in white" by Upupa4me is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0