IS IT REALLY A LILY?
MANY PLANTS SHARE THIS COMMON NAME
ONE of the most interesting and confusing topics of discussion amongst gardeners is that of the use of common names to describe plants.
It’s one of the main reasons why horticulturists and botanists prefer to use botanical names to tell one plant from another.
To explain, the same common name can be used to describe many different plants, usually dependant on the region, state or country of origin and the naming preference of their inhabitants. My article about “geraniums” from February this year briefly touched on the subject of common names.
So we come to the use of another common name in gardening circles, that of the term “lily”.
Actually, it’s generally accepted that “lily” is one of the “commonest” common English names used to describe a range of plants, with over 200 uses of this word as part of common names around the world.
Technically speaking, a true lily belongs to the genus Lilium, in the Liliaceae family. They are described as herbaceous plants arising from true bulbs, and usually bear large, trumpet-shaped, sometimes fragrant 6-petalled flowers on tall stems. Many have their origins in temperate areas in the northern hemisphere and can be grouped into three types, Asiatic, Oriental, and L.A. Hybrids.
As garden plants, most liliums prefer cold, cool and frost-free gardens, with just one species, L. longiflorum, suited to lowland tropical and subtropical climates.
Best time to plant is autumn and winter, in a quite rich soil that drains well but remains moist. Bulbs should be planted around 20cm deep and a similar distance apart (except for L. candidum – plant top of bulb at soil level). They usually flower in late spring to early summer, and will benefit from regular water until flowering, after which less water will help bulbs mature.
Fertilising can be minimal if bulbs are growing in a fertile, organically- enriched soil, but if needed, blood and bone or a slow release granular fertiliser can be applied when growth commences and later, after flowering.
Flower colours include pink, red, orange, white and yellow, with many cultivars sporting streaks or spots adorning their petals.
Popular cultivars include the ‘Matisse’ and ‘ Tango’ ranges, ‘Bach’ (white), ‘Mapira’ (deep purple), ‘Cadenza’ (dark red), ‘Sweet Rosy’ (double pink), ‘Black Charm’ (deep purple to black) and ‘Lady Alice’ (orange).
Whilst these “fair dinkum” lilies are reasonably popular as garden plants in our region, it’s worth looking at a few of the other 200 plants that happen to be called “lilies” and are regarded as great performing garden plants as well.
One of the most popular of these would be the daylily (Hemerocallis cultivars). Originating from the temperate regions of East Asia, these rhizomatous perennials bear trumpet and bell-shaped flowers on tall stems from late spring to autumn. Their name relates to the fact that each flower lasts only one day, but so many are produced in quick succession each flower’s demise isn’t really noticed by casual observers. Some varieties, like ‘Stella D’Oro’, will flower continuously for up to six months.
Daylilies need a sunny or semi-shaded position and a well-structured soil that drains well but holds moisture. The flowers follow the sun so make sure they’re in a spot where people can enjoy their beautiful yellow, apricot and red shades and tints. Popular varieties include ‘Stella Bella’ (yellow), ‘Jamaican Midnight’ (deep red/purple), ‘ Tennessee Treasure’ (velvet red), ‘Jeune Rose’ (pink, apricot and gold – fragrant) and ‘ Vintage Bordeaux’ (deep velevet cherry).
Next cabs off the rank are the beautiful calla lilies (Zantedeschia cultivars).
These popular tuberous summer bloomers are more tolerant of sun than their close cousin, the white arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica).
They love a rich soil that stays moist, and will tolerate light frosts. The tubers are best planted in winter and early spring, around 5-10cm deep and about 30-40cm apart. They respond well to a mulch of rotted manure, or quality organic fertiliser like blood and bone applied in late autumn to winter, after they have died down to their underground tuber.
They make great potted specimens too. Calla lily flowers are actually an inflorescence called a spadix, the central “spike”, surrounded by a coloured bract or spathe.
Speaking of flowers, the come in a range of colours including whites, creams, yellows, pinks, reds, purples through to black. Varieties to try are the ‘Crazy’ collection, ‘Hot Shot’ (apricot/gold to deep orange), ‘Crystal Blush’ (pink to white throat), ‘Hot Cherry’ (cherry, of course!), ‘Black Star’ (black) and ‘Purple Heart’ (deep purple).
Final choice in our “make-believe” lily line-up is Scadoxus puniceus, the paintbrush lily. This South African beauty looks nothing like a typical lily, its “flower” actually a large umbel of numerous orange or scarlet flowers topped with bright yellow anthers, usually appearing in spring before the glossy, wavy-margined leaves. Its closest plant relatives include hippeastrums and belladonna lilies.
As this plant grows readily from seed, the flowers can vary in colour from red to yellow to orange. They need a moist soil in spring and summer and a dryish soil in winter, when they die down. They’re best grown in a shady spot, and do equally well in a pot as well. Cultivars such as the rare ‘Alba’ (white), ‘Magnificus’ and ‘Natalensis’ may be difficult to source.
There are many more “lilies” that simply must be listed in a future article!