Lily pumilum

Kenneth Hixson khixson@nu-world.com
Thu, 17 Jun 2004 00:31:52 PDT
Dear Members-Mary Sue wrote:
>After seeing it, I don't think that probably Lilium pumilum was the correct 
>name of the plant with the lost tag that Rodger nominated for the favorite 
>yellow flowered bulbs unless it comes in yellow too.
	One named form of L. pumilum is 'Yellow Bunting', kind of a nice name
in itself, and lemon yellow.  L pumilum is fairly widespread in the wild, and 
there are a lot of variations, some have hairy buds, some are fairly
short-18" 
tall, others can get to 4 feet tall.  Because of hardiness and early bloom,
it 
is often grown in Canada, where the growing season is short.  Given the
relatively small flower size, smaller plants tend to be favored, and it is
either grown in the front of a border, or is a good choice for a rock garden.
It also does well in pots, if given a gritty mix.  One writer from England
reported one of his pots of pumilum had frozen and thawed so often that
the pot was falling apart, but the lily was still doing well.
	Fairly quick and easy from seed, (may flower in two years)it has a 
reputation for blooming itself to death in about four or five years.  
Many gardeners either keep seedlings coming along each year, or nip off all 
but one seedpod, which seems to help it live longer.
	Judith Freeman of The Lily Garden, used it as a parent extensively,
and resulting hybrids ranged through most of the asiatic lily color range.
Smaller flower size seemed to dominate, so those who want large flowers
may want to look elsewhere, but there are many places for small flowers.
L pumilum has a light scent, not always apparent, an uncommon trait in
asiatic lilies.
	A somewhat similiar but slightly larger lily is L. amabile.
Ken


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