Lilies with a difference: it’s time to plant Turk’s caps and Madonnas!
Autumn is the best time to plant Turk’s caps and Madonna lilies – two beautiful additions to a flower border that will also suit container growing, says Graham Clarke
MOST gardeners are familiar with the large-flowered Oriental and Asiatic hybrid lilies, which are usually planted in spring. However there are two very beautiful lily groups that are best planted in autumn, for flowers in June, July and August. The first is the Turk’s cap lily (Lilium martagon), which produces tall spikes of elegant, pinkpurple blooms with swept-back petals. There are many varieties, in colours from yellow, pink, lavender, light orange and deep red to white, often with whimsical flecks and spots. The flowers also have a light fragrance.
Compared to those of most hybrid lilies, the blooms of the Turk’s caps are small, but they are certainly plentiful – up to 50 can appear on a single stem of a mature, settled bulb. And once the petals fall in autumn, the upright seedheads have an attraction, too.
I find many garden lilies too garish for a flower border and much prefer to grow them in large patio pots. This doesn’t apply to the Turk’s caps, however – they grow very well in garden soil, enjoying part or dappled shade. In fact, those that are positioned in full sun tend to be somewhat stunted.
L. martagon prefers alkaline conditions, so if you have soil that’s acidic you’ll need to either provide some lime each year or grow your bulbs in containers. The really important thing, as with all lilies, is that the soil is freedraining. If your garden has heavy clay, make sure you dig well before planting, adding plenty of grit as you go
Historically, L. martagon was one of the first lilies to be grown in British gardens. The Latin name comes from the style of turban (known as a ‘martagon’) worn by the Turkish ruler Sultan Mohammed 1; it had a similarly pendulous shape. Hence, too, the common name of Turk’s cap.
Marvellous Madonnas
The second lily species that prefers to be planted in the autumn is the Madonna lily (L. candidum). Plant it between now and the beginning of November and it will typically start to emerge in late spring. In June, stems will carry beautiful pure white flowers, flushed yellow at the base of the petals and emitting a delicious fragrance. You can expect around eight to 10 flowers per stalk, each measuring up to 3-4in (7.5-10cm) across.
Believed to have been in cultivation for 3,000 years, this is one of the oldest of ornamental plants. It has certainly appeared in religious art from medieval times onwards, as a symbol of purity. The Romans are said to have introduced the Madonna lily to Britain; the crushed bulbs were applied to corns and sore feet – an occupational hazard of the centurions.
This lily does, however, have its downside. The bulbs are prone to virus infection (spread by aphids); even worse: they can spread the virus to other lilies in the garden. But I tend to ignore the risk, keep my finger crossed and keep
L. candidum well away from its Oriental and Asiatic cousins. Fortunately it looks wonderful when grown in isolation!
I think lilies are at their best when planted in triangular groups of three or five, with each bulb spaced around 1215in (30-37.5cm) from its neighbour.
You may be able to find Turk’s cap and
Madonna lily bulbs in garden centres. If you do spot them, buy the largest you can find, as they will establish better. And keep them cool if there’s a delay in planting. It’s far better to buy your bulbs from a specialist mail order supplier, however. Many are despatching now, so get your order in quick before stocks of these gorgeous plants run out.