VARIETIES OF LILIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21580, 26 August 1933, Page 8 (Supplement)

VARIETIES OF LILIES

DIRECTIONS FOR CULTURE Lilies are found wild in many countries and under widely different conditions, and to obtain success with them one must as far as possible imi- * tate these conditions. On the whole, they may be classed as woodland plants, more especially those of North America and Japan. In the former country they are found growing in large open glades, . and on wooded hillsides, the undergrowth protecting them from cold winds and early frosts. The trees during summer'screen them from hot sun, and give that coolness, and partial shade which they enjoy. Lilies succeed best in New Zealand when planted in partial shade, and surrounded by'a cool, moist atmosphere; ' but they must not be planted directly under trees, or in total shade. They require some sun, but not the hot midday rays. An ideal spot would be an open forest glade with a small stream running through it, near the banks of tfhich the North American psat and . moisture-loving species would flourish, and higher up, away from the water, such species as L. auratum, L. Washingtoniaquni, L. Humboldtii and L. ( giganteum would readily grow. PLANTING AND THE SOIL It is difficult to lay down hard and fast rules as to the best' positions in which to plant lilies, the same variety flourishing ) equally well under totally ' different conditions, but a few general directions may be helpful. Positions exposed to cold sweeping winds should be avoided; never plant directly beneath trees/ but, if possible, at some little distance away, so that the trees will afford some shade. A hot dry corner, or a cold, wet, heavy soil or where the soil is waterlogged is unsuitable. If planted near a large expanse of water the young growths will need protection from late spring frosts. L. Henryii, L.* auratum, L. longiflorum and L. speciosum are specially liable to injury from this cause. In beds of rhododendron or other low-growing Bhrubs they always do well and in no position do they show up more effectively. » 1 Having found the right position the next thing is to provide the best and most suitable soil. One can generally ' , 'do this, even if an ideal position is not to be found. The different soils suitable for lilies may be • divided roughly into three classes. Firstly, any good garden soil of fair depth, well '■> dug before planting, is suitable for Lilium Brownii, Candidum, Chalcedonicum, Croceum, Excelsum, Hansonii, N Henryji, Martagon, Tigrinum, and Umbellatum; these will all flourish in a good border with fair treatment. Secondly, a strong soil such as a rich friable loam, not too heavy, is Preferred -by Lilium auratum, 'latyphlyllum, Batemannii, Humboldtii, Dalmaticum, Rubescens, Speciosum, , , - and Sulphureum. Thirdly, those that require peat and moisture are Lilium Burbaukii, 'Canadense, Grayii, Parda- . linum, Parrii and Philadelphicum.

LITTLE TROUBLE IN GROWING All the species named can be grown with little trouble. Those in the first list succeed in any ordinary border under conditions inferior to those already described as being essential. '■ Those in the second list require a certain amount of partial shade and coolness at the root, and are suitable for ; planting among low-growing shrubs. The third group comprises those that require a cool shady spot, such v as the edge of a pond or stream. In addition to these there are a nujmber of species > which are capable of successful cultivation with a little extra care. - > Autumn is the best time for planting—failing that spring is the next best. A, lily when in full growth is performing two functions—one developing by means of its stem the flowers, and the ottfer, by means of its basal ' roots, the bulb for next season's growth 4 It therefore requires as much attention to jts wants below the ground as above. ? * .». ' VARYING ROOT ACTION All lilies have not the same root action. Some make two sets of roots, one from the base of the bulb, the other from the bottom of thd stein, while others produce roots from the base of.the bulb: only. These must be ' "well established before they can flower ■with any degree of success, as, unless they are well-rooted, the stem has nothing to draw from and feed on except the bulb, which naturally suffers. Those that have 'two root actions may be planted at almost any time ; for as coon as the stem is about six inches in height roots spring from its base and grow with exceeding vigour, supporting the stem in its development almofit independently of tho bulbs. The and others of similar character produce only basal roots. The root action commences in late autumn. They should therefore be lifted before root action commences. The late planting of Martagon lilios after root action has been checked is often the cause of their failure the first season. Species with two root * actions do not make such stout basal roots and do not require so much care when lifting. They can be planted at any time during autumn and spring r —.thout experiencing any serious check..