Mystery lily

[Jack Meatcher]

This is my first post so if it looks a bit weird, don't be surprised.  Attached are a couple of pics of a lily that was in our garden when we moved in in 1975. Despite neglect, it has survived but now I'd like to identify it. The nearest I've come is L. jancae. I've given a few bulbs away but no one has come back with an ID.  Any thoughts?
Scales probably available later in the year.

Jack Meatcher

[Maggi Young]

Hello Jack,
 Kew gives the name of L. jancae as jankae 

The Kew list also tells us that  L.  jankae  A. Kern has a synoynym  Lilium pyrenaicum var. jankae  (A.Kern.) V.A.Matthews

My first thought on seeing your photos was L. pyrenaicum.

 I THINK ( not sure) that L. jankae was originally described from the area of approx. Bulgaria, so perhaps the difference is simply geographic 

[Maggi Young]

Yes, I think I'm correct about  L. jankae being from the Balkan region. I see this site  http://www.the-genus-lilium.com/jankae.htm   also mentions the Syn.: L. carniolicum var. jankae
( Kew mentions four :
Lilium pyrenaicum var. jankae (A.Kern.) V.A.Matthews    
Lilium carniolicum subsp. jankae (A.Kern.) Asch. & Graebn.
Lilium bulbiferum subsp. jankae (A.Kern.) Nyman
Lilium albanicum subsp. jankae (A.Kern.) Nyman )

(Kew gives L. pyrenaicum  three synonyms:
 Lilium flavum Lam.
Lilium pomponium subsp. pyrenaicum (Gouan) K.Richt.    
Lilium pyrenaicum f. rubrum Stoker )

Ian says L.  jankae  may be more red/orange  as opposed to  L. pyreaicum being more yellow   

[Gene Mirro]

1975 - 2013 is a very impressive life span for a lily.  I feel compelled to come up with a theory for this.  I think the "neglect" is what has kept it alive.  If you start watering and fertilizing it, especially in late Summer, you may kill it.  Probably the safest time to fertilize is in Spring just as the stem emerges from the soil.  If your soil is very acid, you could also sprinkle a handful of dolomite lime around it.

It is usually recommended that the bulbs be lifted and replanted in fresh soil if the plants are becoming less vigorous.  That makes sense, but I wouldn't do it as long as your lily is looking healthy.

[Jack Meatcher]

Thank you for your prompt responses. I was glad I wasn't too far from the truth regarding its name. 
As a matter of interest, I'm on very heavy London clay here but the lilies don't seem to mind. It is pH 7. 
The biggest enemy is Lily Beetle and a regular morning task is to go out and physically squash them. 
If anyone in the UK would like some scales later in the year, please contact me and I'll do my best.

Jack