Lilium rosthornii
James Waddick (Thu, 02 Aug 2007 06:15:06 PDT)

Dear Friends,
This is a very slow HOT time in the garden.
The real show is focused on the large Hibiscus varieties (No
disco belles, please!) ,but Crinum 'Super Ellen' is holding her own.
In a more subdued sort of way is the first bloom on the odd lily
named above.

This lily was described over a century ago, but only recently
brought into cultivation. I'd call it more curious than beautiful,
but it has 'attitude'. The PBS wiki picture from Arnold shows the form

http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/files/…

but the picture at Pacific Rim Native Plants

http://www.hillkeep.ca/bulbs%20lilium.htm

shows the distinct green central 'star'.

My plants had some spring freeze damage and this is their
first bloom so I have only a single flower per stem and they are a
foot tall. Eventually they should get to 3 feet with up to 9 flowers
per stem.

I understand they 'should' bloom even later in the season.
The only other lily in bloom right now is L. formosanum which seems a
bit early too.

It looks like a very garden worthy (whatever THAT means)
addition to my temperate site.

Anyone beside Arnold grow this species? Comments?

Best Jm W.
--
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph. 816-746-1949
Zone 5 Record low -23F
Summer 100F +