Amorphophallus henryi - Huge leaves rise and unfold on green stems replete with white splotches. Emergence times do vary; mid-June usually in the south but this interesting aroid's foliage may not emerge until September and at any point between in which it chooses to laze until awakening; yes: another test of the proverbial gardeners' patience. The leaves are compound, complex and fantastical, tropical looking. The foot-tall flowers in a shade of pink-violet sport a fat, vertical spadix erupting prior to leaf emergence. The flowers which occur every two to three years stink of rotten flesh. Commonly called Henry's Love Lily... dude, really, did you get a whiff? Necrophile some? Nevertheless, flowers are darkly beautiful. Furthermore, if the spadix is happily pollinated fat, tall spikes of dark blue berries will form. On well grown specimens in a colony they are undeniably beautiful. These offer great late season interest continuing after the foliage melts down. Open to part shade, dappled light, protect from hot afternoon sun. Inter in fertile ground. Plant 4 to 6 inches deep, even deeper in the northern part of its range. Apparently, older bulbs become concave at the top which turns them into shallow bowls collecting water. This can be deleterious increasingly so towards the northern end of the range. Digging the bulbs and keeping them in the cool corner of a basement or the like won't set them back. Or digging down and turning them on their sides and re-covering them for the long winter's nap is also a way to care for your charge.

We find all the aroids fascinating, primitive, oddly alluring, curious, with some - those emitting dangerous scent exude lurid malevolence. They are amazing. Their texture is unequaled in the garden adding exceptional interest, excitement and primitive presence.