Henry's lily
Lilium henryi
Family: Liliaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Orange. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Columnar, Upright or erect.
Lilium henryi is a BULB growing to 1.8 m (6ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 1.8
Where it is found
Amongst scrub on limestone cliffs, often in shade on humus-rich soils, up to 1100 metres.
E. Asia - C. China in W. Hubeh and Guizhou.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Bulb - cooked. The bulb is about 7cm in diameter. A rather bitter flavour. Rich in starch, it can be used as a vegetable in similar ways to potatoes (Solanum tuberosum).
Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Foundation, Screen. Prefers an open free-draining humus-rich loamy soil with its roots in the shade and its head in the sun. Prefers a limey soil. Succeeds in acid and limey soils according to one report, whilst another says that it does not tolerate acid soil conditions. A very ornamental plant, it is very easily grown and is one of the most virus-tolerant of lilies. It is also a fast-growing plant, onion-sized flowering bulbs can be obtained in 2 years from seed. The flowers have a pleasant sweet perfume. Early to mid autumn is the best time to plant out the bulbs in cool temperate areas, in warmer areas they can be planted out as late as late autumn. The plant should be protected against rabbits and slugs in early spring. If the shoot tip is eaten out the bulb will not grow in that year and will lose vigour. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Suitable for cut flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - immediate epigeal germination. Sow thinly in pots from late winter to early spring in a cold frame. Should germinate in 2 - 4 weeks. Great care should be taken in pricking out the young seedlings, many people prefer to leave them in the seed pot until they die down at the end of their second years growth. This necessitates sowing the seed thinly and using a reasonably fertile sowing medium. The plants will also require regular feeding when in growth. Divide the young bulbs when they are dormant, putting 2 - 3 in each pot, and grow them on for at least another year before planting them out into their permanent positions when the plants are dormant. Division with care in the autumn once the leaves have died down. Replant immediately. Bulb scales can be removed from the bulbs in early autumn. If they are kept in a warm dark place in a bag of moist peat, they will produce bulblets. These bulblets can be potted up and grown on in the greenhouse until they are large enough to plant out.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;
Habit: Bulb
Hardiness: 5-8
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist