Lilium 'Claude Shride'
turkscap lily bulb
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: moist but freely drained
- Rate of growth: fast-growing
- Flowering period: May to June
- Hardiness: fully hardy
- Bulb size: 12/14
Rising above the leafy stems in late spring and early summer, sprays of lightly scented, nodding flowers will help attract butterflies to the garden. Originating from mountainous meadows, this martagon lily looks wonderful when scattered through naturalised planting schemes, but the long-lasting flowers are also excellent for adding colour to more formal borders. Highly prized by florists, their claret purple flowers, which each have a smattering of golden spots on their flaring, recurved petals, can last for several weeks when cut for the vase. - Garden care: Lilies can be planted at any time from early autumn to mid-spring. Planting in autumn often helps them settle in and become better established before they start to put on their new spring growth, but spring planting is a better option if your soil is heavy and wet during winter. Choose a sunny spot, preferably where the plant receives a little light shade at its base, and plant each bulb 15-20cm (6-8in) deep in a well-drained soil, enriched with well-rotted organic matter or leaf mould. Space them at approximately 30cm (12") intervals and provide support before the flowers appear. Deadhead the faded blooms promptly and cut the dead stems back to ground level at the end of autumn.
- Cats: TOXIC if eaten; Humans/Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten