Lilium 2009

[johnw]

Lilium canadense (2 shots) in bloom today and Lilium polyphyllum just finishing up.

Sun!

johnw

[Paul T]

John,

Great colour on the canadense.  They're such a lovely shape, even if they do all face downwards.  Reminds me of when I used to grow them here a few years ago.  Beautiful, and that is a wonderful amount of flowers on one stem.  I could never get anything like that number here when I grew it.

[Anthony Darby]

This has not been a good year for some of my lilies so i post an old pic of grayii.
I used to have two and had seed every year. Then one died and seed setting ceased.
New small plants from various sources are coming along so I will eventually have seed again some time in the future.
Books tell me that grayii is slender and less robust than canadense. However, my grayiis have always been twice as thick as my canadenses and come up later but very vigourously.
Comments anyone? Is grayii stronger or weaker than canadense??
Göte

Beautiful flowers. I have tried Lilium grayi from seed, but lost it. Is it one you sell Ian (the kind Christie)? (Vivienne's maiden name is Gray).

[johnw]

Lilium cernuum var. album

Lori - That's a beauty.

johnw

[Lori S.]

Thanks, all!
John, your L. canadense is gorgeous, as is L. polyphyllum!  In the McRae book, it's said that L. canadense wants acid soil and constant moisture (neither of which we have here).  Does that seem to be true?

[gote]

Lilium cernuum var. album

I think this one has been described by Nakai in 1917 as var. candidum.
It is areal beauty. I have never seen it before or even a picture.
You are lucky.
Göte
 

[gote]

Thanks, all!
John, your L. canadense is gorgeous, as is L. polyphyllum!  In the McRae book, it's said that L. canadense wants acid soil and constant moisture (neither of which we have here).  Does that seem to be true?

It seems to be true but there is a differenc between liking and needing. My canadense seeds itself in a place where the water table is very high but it can also be grown as a normal woodlander. I have not tried in a high pH environment.

[johnw]

Thanks, all!
John, your L. canadense is gorgeous, as is L. polyphyllum!  In the McRae book, it's said that L. canadense wants acid soil and constant moisture (neither of which we have here).  Does that seem to be true?

Lori - Lilium canadense is native to meadows and stream banks here, usually in places with rich soil.  Soil is scarce on the coast so mainly inland.  Sometimes in areas with gypsum deposits.

johnw

[Paul T]

And this little discussion you have had going on has definitely explained to me why my canadense died a few years ago.... obviously not nearly enough water while in growth.  And I'm guessing it needs fairly dry/perfect drainage while dormant?

[gote]

And this little discussion you have had going on has definitely explained to me why my canadense died a few years ago.... obviously not nearly enough water while in growth.  And I'm guessing it needs fairly dry/perfect drainage while dormant?

This is the received wisdom for all tricky subjects    but some of mine are nearly flooded all winter - but in a "natural" environment with grasses and all kinds of weeds.
Göte

[johnw]

Lilium nepalense just about to open. Awaiting the night fragrance. It's my favourite of the species.

johnw

[Ragged Robin]

John, what a fabulous lilium I love the chocolate centre with that shade of green and it hangs so elegantly 

[Paul T]

Thanks Gote.  Will definitely have to try them again.  That goes for a number of the Lilium species I think.  We had a couple of dreadful summers and I just didn't keep enough water up to them.  We live and learn.  

John,

I love the nepalense.  Congratulations!!

[The Russian]

Martagons have already finished flowering, but the folder with photos will be a good entertainment during long long Russian winter.

[Martin Baxendale]

A Very nice range of martagon hybrids, Elena. I have 'Early Bird' but don't think I've seen any of the others in gardens or nursery catalogues here. All very nice indeed.