Lilium pardalinum: The Panther Lily Lilium pardalinum: The Panther LilyBy Tristan Hatton-Ellis
These days, there is a very wide range of bulbs to choose from, and surely one of the most important genera is the true lilies, Lilium. These have an aristocratic appearance and a (not entirely undeserved) reputation of being tricky to grow. This tends to deter many people from attempting them, which is a pity as there are very few sights in the summer border more spectacular than a good clump of lilies in full flower.
Now, most lilies are indeed rather particular as to growing conditions, and if you are blessed with a cool, humus-rich, somewhat acid, moisture-retentive yet free-draining sandy soil, then you need read no further, since you can (and probably already do) grow practically any lily you desire. However, if, like me, you garden on a nice stodgy clay in conditions where it never stops raining in winter, then here is a lily for you.
Lilium pardalinum, the panther lily, is a tall-growing North American species which reaches about 7' when well grown. It produces stems of whorled foliage in a pleasant shade of apple-green, topped of by up to about 20 flowers per stem. These are of the Turk's-cap shape (that is, with the petals reflexed back rather like a trout lily) in an attractive burnt orange (though this is somewhat variable) fading to a nice clear yellow in the centre. The whole flower is evenly spotted with quite large maroon spots.
So far so good, but there are many excellent lilies which require all sorts of voodoo to keep them alive. Not this one. I grow it..... well, anywhere, really. Like all lilies it benefits from a good feed periodically, though it certainly does not require it. The plants also like a moisture-retentive soil, and I suspect that they could be grown to perfection in "clematis conditions"--top in sun, base of stems & roots in shade; they would no doubt look good with red Astilbes. Mine seem not to be attacked by aphids, and more importantly this plant seems to be highly resistant to the virus which causes so many commercial lily bulbs to fizzle out after a year or two.
One point of caution though--this lily more than many others takes exception to being transplanted, especially while in growth. It has never died on me, but often sulks in the first year and doesn't really settle down for about two years. Thereafter it makes a splendid display though, and can be left to form a magnificent clump in time.
GardenWeb wishes to express its gratitude to Mr. Hatton-Ellis for sharing his knowledge and experience with our readers.
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