Our well bred Erythronium – full of grace, poise and charm

Last year we were delighted to introduce three new members of the Harvington Erythronium family, namely ‘Harvington Lilli’, ‘Harvington Elizabeth’ and ‘Harvington Imogen’ .

Alys Fowler wrote a wonderful piece about our Harvington Erythronium breeding programme here at Twelve Nunns in ‘Gardens Illustrated’, as part of the magazine’s 30th anniversary edition in 2023. Started by Hugh and Liz Nunn from a nursery based in the village of Harvington during the mid 1980’s, the article explained how this programme ‘spans two generations and has taken more than 20 years of careful, meticulous selection to create a three new Harvington erythroniums. And now that Harvington trio is finally ready to meet the world.’

The article explains how Erythronium are bred from seeds to seedlings, and then, after three years, the small bulbs are potted on, with flowers starting to appear following another 2 years growth. After that the selections take place, along with the slow build up of stocks through division. Penny Dawson, who now runs Twelve Nunns Nursery states ‘Our aim is to select and supply plants that you can actually grow in your garden. They have to thrive…’

But why breed Erythroniums?

‘They’ve got everything: grace, poise and charm.’ That, and their rarity value, makes them compelling to grow,” says Penny. And just like that, the compulsion to create something wonderful is inherited from one generation to the next.’

And what to plant alongside them?

Best planted in groups, as spring flowers they only flower for about three week. As Penny states ‘I’ve got some growing among Anemone nemorosa ‘Robinsoniana’ along the base of a beech hedge in my garden, and their recurved heads are so charming’. (Alys Fowler, Gardens Illustrated April 2023).