GOLDEN-RAYED
LILY
Family LILICEAE
Lilium auratum
Perennial
The most beautiful of all Lilies and a native
of Japan.
Reaching up to six feet high the leafy stems carry
up to fifteen flowers, eight to ten inches across.
The colour is white, with a mid-rib of pale yellow
the whole length of each segment, spotted crimson.
Its form var. platyphyllum is of more vigorous
growth of the same colour, but not so heavily
spotted, var. rubrovittatum is distinguished by
a crimson band running the whole length of each
segment, and the flowers are spotted crimson.
There are many other forms, and the most desirable
strain today is known as the Esperanza strain
from British Columbia, particularly valuable for
its freedom from disease and vigorous growth.
In a rich, peaty soil, well drained and free
from unrotted animal manure, this Lily is seen
to best advantage if planted among dwarf species
of peat-loving plants such as Rhododendrons and
Azaleas.
Propagate from scales, offsets or seed.
The flowering season is in late summer, but the
flowers may be forced earlier under glass.
See Also : Lily and
Trumpet Lily
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