Hi Claire, I bought the plant in May at Plant Delights so, no, it doesn't have to settle in. From what I've read, it will have only the single bloom this year, but could have up to 6 next year. It's a very small plant--probably not more that 10" tall. Don't know if it will get taller with age, but it is supposed to spread. The crinum I bought this year also bloomed. Unfortunately, I don't like where I put it but if I move it, then it will be a couple of years before it blooms again (per Alicia, I think).

NEVER before this year have bunnies attacked my Madonna lilies. I have tried to find out when the buds of these type of lilies form. The attached photo shows the carnage. The lilies were about 3" tall - normally they are not even growing much yet but this year everything is nuts here in NW Iowa. Have I lost the blooms for this year? Or haven't the buds formed yet? They normally bloom around the 3rd week for June for me. I'm just devastated. NO lily holds a candle to the delightful fragrance of lilium candidum! I've taken measure to ensure no further damage - I hope!

You are being overly cautious :-) Most reputable bulb providers sell lilies true to name and quite a lot more than just hybrids. However, many specialty lily growers do not grow or sell L. lancifolium as it is a vector for a lily virus that affects the Asiatic and Oriental hybrids And any varietal is a naturally occurring plant - NOT a cultivar. You are also mistaking not in active growth for dormancy :-) As I mentioned, lilies never fully go dormant. They are seasonal in their habits however, and once done flowering, the leaves will begin to lose color and eventually brown and die off as will the stem. When this happens naturally does depend somewhat on location but as these bulbs bloom in summer - and it is still summer and lilies still flowering in many areas - it is too early for the natural browning and dying to occur. Even my quite early blooming Asiatics are still very green and vibrant now, several months after their bloom period. None of the above ground parts should be removed until this drying and browning has happened completely. The bulbs need this green growth to photosynthesize and store energy for the next season. Cutting any green off early will weaken the bulb and can affect ability to flower well the following season.

Does anyone grow this lily? I planted 2 last fall along with some other lilies and the other lilies are showing some growth. The Lilium canadense are not. Do they come up later than other lilies? Thanks for any info you can give me.