Description
Arisaema ringens itself is a very attractive and distinctive species from Japan. It is normally brown but in this form it bears an unusual and attractive green spathe. This has the same folded mouth in the shape of a knight’s helmet as the ordinary form but the “visor” is also green. The overall shape and appearance is a little like some of the pitcher plants. The green is enlivened by just enough slate grey shading to define its features and enhance a very unusual and attractive colour form.
This is very early flowering for the genus, regularly appearing in March-April here. Despite this early flowering A. ringens is a fully hardy and easy species, capable of making large tubers and large clumps given time. The early appearance may suggest lack of hardiness but we have not found this to be the case here, it is fully hardy.
Fertile, humus-rich soil in light, half or dappled shade is excellent, good drainage should be ensured, as with all Arisaema.
