Lilium formosanum
James Waddick (Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:07:43 PDT)

Dear Friends,
Maybe a decade ago I collected seed from towering stems of
Lilium formosanum with permission of J.C.Raulston from a long
perennial display at the (now named) J. C. Raulston Arboretum in
Raleigh NC. With a name of "formosanum' I assumed they'd be tender
and the literature then wasn't much help. I grew and nurtured the
seed and had 6 foot stems the second year with nodding white trumpets
at eye level.
The plant proved to be hardy and vigorous.

It is still not widely grown and deserves to be.

Now many years later is has self sown gently around the
garden and is just finishing bloom. The intensely fragrant flowers
come late in the lily season and have no competition for their show.
If seeds are started early you can have bloom the first fall, but
plants will be taller and better the 2nd year and on.

It has come through winters below 0 F and manages essentially
without my help.

I'll send some seed to the SeedEx when they are ripe, but
this note is to provide a bit of advance PR for an easy and essential
lily even for northern gardens.

Best Jim 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 +