Maybe because Susan actually means ‘Lily’ do I feel a connection with lilies. They are usually bold in colors and fragrance, tough and durable in the garden. Humm…
Many types of plants are called lily, from Agapanthus to Voodoo lily. Here are a few of my favorites that are in the lilium family.
Lilium ‘Black Beauty’ is a lovely dark pink/red with black stems. Some variations of pictures online show more pink with green stems. It is robust, and long lasting. Loves full sun or part shade and is hardy to Zone 3. Available in bulbs but I would try and choose one in flower so you can see if the stems are lovely and black.
Lilium rosthornii is an uncommonly interesting lily from China. Three foot stems carry large, vivid orange flowers whose narrow petals are recurved into an impossible backbend. The exposed faces of the petals fairly bristle with polyp-like papillose projections while the revealed open throat displays a small dark green star. The bumps are intriguing and the color is amazing. Hardy to zone 5a, Sun or part Sun with 3 foot stem.
Lilium taliense came to me this year from Windcliff plants. Originally from Fanjingshan, China it is happy in my garden. It has a beautiful form with strongly reflex yellow petals spotted in dark red. Likes even moist soil, and will form colonies over time. Full sun, looks to be hardy to zone 5.
Tall and bold is the double flowering Lilium lancifolium ‘Floro Pleno’. Originally purchased because of its double-ness I now love it because of its boldness in the tropical garden. It can look a little strange and congested but it really doesn’t care. It simply grows and ignores attempts by snails to eat it. It grows about 4 ft tall in full sun. It likes good moisture but can take a little neglect. Zones 4 – 9.
Here are the lilies in the Tropical garden. They will mix well with other perennials also but I love them with the fat juicy colors of tropical plants.
