LILIUM AURATUM AND ITS VARIETIES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 13, 27 March 1912, Page 40

LILIUM AURATUM AND ITS VARIETIES.

During the winter season bull*, of the Golden-rayed Lily of Japan are imported in immense numbers, and are frequently offered in tens of thousands at the auction sales of bulbs held in London. This alone furnishes a guarantee of its pre-sent-day popularity, for it is. as a matter of fact, universally grown, despite its, at times, erratic behaviour. The Queen ot Lilies is a popular name applied to this Japanese representative of a noble family. and I do not think anyone will dispute the correctness of this title, says a writer in "Gardening.” It is now nearly 50 years since Lilium auratum unfolded its earliest blossoms in this country. As a matter of fact, it was first shown by Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons at a meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, on July 12, 1862. the bulbs having been collected by the late Mr. John Gould Veitch when travelling in what was -then the comparatively unknown country of Japan. It was some years after this before it became generally cultivated an this country, as all the early importations were from bulbs, collected' in a state of Nature. After a time, however, it became evident to the Japanese that its culture would prove to be a remunerative one. and now it. and. in fact, many other lilies, are grown, amt sent to this country in immense numbers. What is more, they are now sold so cheaply that their beauty can be enjoyed by prince and peasant alike. A notable feature of Lilium auratum is the great amount of individual variation which is to be found when it is grown in quantity. I do not refer to the generally recognised and well-marked varieties, but what may be regarded as members of the rank and file. Some are comparatively dwarf, the sturdy stem being clothed with numerous thickset pointed leaves. As a rule, the Howers of these are of good shape, with the snotting and golden rays clearly defined. The direct opposite to this is a form much taller in growth, with fewer and broader leaves, and flowers borne on long, rather weak stalks, so that they partially droop, and are consequently much less imposing than the others. In some of these the segments are too narrow to form an ideal bloom. Beside these two extreme forms there are many intermediate ones, so that even out of a large batch it is often difficult to pick two alike, as the points of difference are to be found in height, foliage, size, and shape of the flowers, and markings. The bulbs also vary greatly, but I have never succeeded with Lilium auratum. ae 1 have done with Lilium spoeiosum. in selecting the forms with n certain amount of accuracy from bulbs alone. The fully-recognised varieties that can be purchased true to name are L. a. platvphvllum. a noble grower with a massive' flower. It differs from the ordinary L. auratum in the scale of the bulb being much broader and thicker, while the stem is stouter, and the leaves wider. The flower, too, is more saueerslmpeil, In colouring the variety platy-

phyWmn aarias somewhat, the blooms be uz, as a rule, not much spotted, and math a elearly defined golden stripe down the centre of ea-eh petal. Occasionally • flower may be met with that is almost entirely white, and sometimes more spotted than usual. This variety was first sent home from a small island on the south-east of Japan by Mr. Charles Maries, when travelling in those regions. It is now, however, cultivated in quantity in Japan, and large numbers are every winter exported from that country. Beside the varietal name of platyph'yllum it is also known by that of macranthum. L. a. rubro-vittatum, sometimes called cruentuni, is a particularly striking form. The bulbs that reach this country are, as a rule, smaller than those, of the average Ij. auratum, but they usually flower well. In this variety a rich glowing crimsoncoloured band extends down the centre of each segment. When the flowers are first expanded this band is exceedingly bright and attractive, but before long* it changes to a chocolate tint, and is then not nearly so effective as at first. This change is hastened if the weather happens to be hot. Sometimes the margins of the segments have a crimson suffusion. A direct contrast in -colour to this is another small-bulbed variety, namely, L. a. virginale, or L. a. Witten In this the petals are thick, wax-like, and of a pure unspotted white, with a golden stripe down the centre of each. The flowers of this remain fresh and bright longer than those of rubro-vittatum. In L. a pictum we have a variety more densely spotted than the typical L. auratum, with a slight suspicion of the crimson band of njbro-vittatum. It (pictum) is now not often imported. and> it varies somewhat in marking, being, apparently, a selection from seedlings of L. auratum itself.

A olumes have been written regarding the cultural requirements of L. auratum, but from whatever standpoint it is viewed it must be set down as a decidedly erratic lily, for, while in some eases, it will thrive without any special attention, in others, whatever care be taken, it is not a success. We have been told by travellers in its native country that Lidium auratum thrives orr the outskirts of woods, where the amount of shade is just sufficient to break the hottest of the sun’s rays, especially on the lower part of the stem and surrounding ground. This has proved to be the most satisfactory mode of treatment under cultivation in England, where the practice frequently prevails of planting this I'ily in beds of rhododendrons. or associated with other shrubs, that serve to shade the base of the stems. The peaty soil in which rhododendrons -thrive is a good substitute for the vegetable humus in which i! grows in its native country. In any case, effective drainage is very necessary.

Not only is Lilitun auratum looked upon as a plant for the open ground, but it is also extensively grown in pots, and employed for various decorative purposes. For grouping its grand flowers and noble proportions stand it in good stead, the one drawback Wing that, in confined places’ at least, its perfume is too powerful.