A few comments on this species, which is just about to open its flowers here:
>virtually alone among lilies, Lilium
>candidum requires dry summer conditions.
Well, not that virtually alone; there are a number of western American
species that are adapted to dry summers (though not all of them -- some
grow naturally on streambanks or even in marshes).
>You know that the bulbs should be just tucked under the ground or even left
>partially exposed, don't you?
That is quite important. Detached scales here have become covered with
fallen leaves and grown well where they fell, without being "planted" at all.
As for cultivation, Edward McRae ("Lilies," 1998) recommends dividing and
replanting in July, just after the leaves and stems wither.
This species is particularly susceptible to Botrytis infection in wet
spring weather and is much attacked by slugs. Commercial stocks are likely
to be infected with viruses if propagated vegetatively. It is, however,
fairly easy to grow from seed, flowering in about 4 years.
Jane McGary
Northwestern Oregon, USA