Big Daddy Drac!

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Posted by @haighr on
Dracuncula Vulgaris - Not as stinky as you think! So you have heard and read about these stinky plants, but have you ever grown one? Try it, they will become the talk of your garden!

 

Big Daddy Drac

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Not exactly what you want to have in your next arrangement, but this plant has plenty of character.  The palm-like, white-speckled foliage does add interest in arrangements.  The smell is not at all what you have read about. The pungent aroma is not terribly offensive, believe me it is nothing like you have heard described as rotting flesh or road kill.   Not to say it is an easy photo shoot for those macro shots, first you must shoe away the flies which it attracts.  You can't really smell their unusual perfume unless you stick your nose right in their business (the heart of the stamen) and there is really no reason you would need to do such a thing!

Dracuncula Vulgaris, also know as Arum Dracunculus, are perennial plants native to the eastern Mediterranean, but can be grown in the Unites States from Zones 6b to 9b.  These plants thrive in full sun, sheltered in winter with mulch in very cold climates.  Sprouts usually appear in the garden in late spring and bloom sometime in late June or July.

I started my plants from seeds I received from an old friend Dimitri who lives in Greece.  I also began one from a split tuber.  In Greece this plant is called Drakondia (the dragon or serpent being the long, black/purplish stamen hidden inside the huge maroon unfurling spathe.  The plant has quickly multiplied in my garden by tuber offsets and has become one of our garden favorites.  We are always wondering how large a spathe it will produce.  My "Big Daddy Drac" as I fondly call it gets a 36-40" flower  (the flower is the huge black stamen which is inside the furled spathe).  My Big Daddy Drac stands about 4' in height.  I have more and more of them each year and they are always a welcome spring tradition - rearing their heads with the daffs, crocus and tulips.  The flies attack the spathe as soon as it fully opens.  The deep burgundy, ruffled spathe that unfurls is spectacular!

 

I'm Coming Out!

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Peeking up from the soil Speckled palm-like leaf Thick black stamen & furled spathe

 

Seed Pods

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Allow seeds to dry on plant  Green is immature seed

Cover to keep birds away

Wear gloves-fingers will discolor

 

  • I cover my seed pods with old stockings so air can circulate and I can see the changes in color;
  • When the pods turn bright orange the seeds are ready for harvesting (wear gloves when harvesting, your fingers will turn orange; squeeze out the seed and let dry;
  • After drying for a few days, reseed as soon as possible because the seeds do not store well;
  • The plant can also be propogated by splitting the tubers and planting in spring or fall;
  • I mulch my plants after bloom time has finished for the next season because we get rather harsh winters in western Maryland;
  • The plant, once established, will multiply in your bed, slowly but surely!

If you have a garden that longs for something special then you need to have a Dracuncula Vulgaris of your own!  I love having them in my garden - they draw a lot of attention and are the talk of the town!

Dracs in Candee's Garden
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Comments and Discussion
Thread Title Last Reply Replies
Great article! by lakesidecallas Aug 21, 2010 4:17 PM 3
Win a free plant by gardenersdetective Aug 3, 2010 7:52 PM 0
So now I know what Dracs are! by TwinLakesChef Apr 2, 2010 4:25 PM 3

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