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Perennials & Annuals - Australia

Madonna Lilies

19 years ago

Does anyone know where I can obtain Madonna Lily bulbs in Australia? (Lilium candidum).

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Comments (3)

redcryptonite
19 years ago
try some of the bulb specialists I reckon but most of the catalogues dont come out until about march or april.

try broersen bulbs, lake nurseries, tessellar bulbs - all in vic .youll start seeing lots of ads appearing in the back of gardening magazines in a few months for the bulb suppliers

cheers
sparxiris
19 years ago
The nurseries listed are not so much bulb specialists, as mass bulb sellers. If you want to go to a bulb specialist, try Hill View rare plants in Tas.
Write to Marcus Harvey, 400 Huon Road, South Hobart, Tas., 7004
Be prepared to be dazzled by his collection of plants and his prices, but also be assured that if you order Lilium candidum, that is EXACTLY what you will get. He will also deal with any queries you have re growing bulbs, with the vast knowledge he has, rather than having to deal with sales people who don't even know which way up to plant a daffodil.
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I have an extremely eager Madonna Lily. It has 6 good sized shoots that started growing in early January. This lily seems very resistant to cold. For two years now, it has sprouted in early January. I gave it slight protection by leaning an old window in front of it to keep it a few degrees warmer at night during our February cold spell. It is likely that the protection wasn't needed, however. I hope it sets seed this year. Even if it doesn't, I will probably dig up the clump in summer since the bulbs have been pushing out of the ground as they grow larger. The clump is seemingly very pleased with its south wall of house location. I believe I am in zone 7b, in extreme southern New Jersey.
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You have two competing issues here, so what you decide to risk is a judgement call. 1) Though Lilium Candidum is one of the few lilies that REQUIRES shallow planting, the bulb should be covered with soil. 2) The Madonna Lily doesn't like to be disturbed and may "sulk" for a season after transplanting. (But, at least you already know it is "happy" in this spot in your garden.) Solutions Top dressing with soil to cover the bulb by 1/2" allows you to satisfy both requirements but may require a raised bed. I don't like the idea of disturbing a sucessful bed of Candidum either but, IF a raised bed is out of the question, then a very careful digging and replanting deeper is probably the best long term solution. At 1/2" out of the soil, it won't take many freeze-thaw cycles this winter for the bulb to be heaved completely out of the soil. Assuming hungry squirrels didn't get it first. -Helen
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My experience with L. candidum falls in with the above comments. As a 12 yo I was fascinated by this lily with its rosette during winter which suddenly burst forth in spring. Unfortunately the plants I watched belonged to an old lady across the street. Eventually I asked her for one and she gave me a bulb. In my ignorance I rushed home and planted it - just under the soil level. It grew very well for years. I was also lucky as the part of country Victoria I lived in was heavy clay soil with a high pH. I too never heard of this lily for many years. I discovered a source of seed at chilternseeds.co.uk They were happy to sell me some and they arrived safely through the legitimate channel. They are quite easy to manage. They are immediate epigeal and these seed I obtained had a high rate of success. They can be sown at any time of the year theoretically though don't try in summer. If sown in August they will put up a flower a bit over 2 years later. Better the following year. Mine have finished this year and all have many fat pods. I took no care with them when in flower. So do I have new seed 100% L. candidum? Or is it likely to be contaminated? Some lilium species breed true.... not sure about this one though.
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ilijasx
19 years ago
Hello Iona9, I can tell you that I had an obsession with this lily for about ten years! My dear departed grandmother used to grow them in her garden when I was living with her in Europe.

There are two main places that I have found that sell the bulbs: The Digger's Club, which have a website that you can order bulbs through, and Golden Ray Liliums.

Remember that this lily is summer dormant (unlike most others) so now is the time to order them if you want them. Also remember that (yet again unlike most lilies) they love lime and lots of it.

Let us know how it goes.

Regards,

Ilijas.

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