Lilium nobilissimum - (Makino.)Makino.
(Makino.)Makino.
gbif· cc-by
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
gbif· cc-by
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
gbif· cc-by
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Description
Lilium nobilissimum is a BULB growing to 1.7 m (5ft 7in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower in June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Edible Uses
Bulb - cooked. Rich in starch, it can be used as a vegetable in similar ways to potatoes (Solanum tuberosum).
Distribution
E. Asia - Japan on Ryukyu Island.
Where It Grows
TEMPERATE ASIA: Japan (Ryukyu Islands)
Cultivation
Prefers an open free-draining humus-rich loamy soil with its roots in the shade and its head in the sun. Not very easy to grow in cultivation, it is best grown in the greenhouse border, succeeding outdoors only in the mildest areas of the country, Stem rooting, plant the bulbs 10 - 15cm deep. Early to mid autumn is the best time to plant out the bulbs in cool temperate areas, in warmer areas they can be planted out as late as late autumn. The flowers are sweetly scented. The plant should be protected against rabbits and slugs in early spring. If the shoot tip is eaten out the bulb will not grow in that year and will lose vigour.
Propagation
Seed - One report says immediate epigeal germination, another says delayed hypogeal germination whilst a third says autumnal hypogeal germination. We would suggest sowing the seed as soon as possible and keeping your fingers crossed. Great care should be taken in pricking out the young seedlings, many people prefer to leave them in the seed pot until they die down at the end of their second years growth. This necessitates sowing the seed thinly and using a reasonably fertile sowing medium. The plants will also require regular feeding when in growth. Divide the young bulbs when they are dormant, putting 2 - 3 in each pot, and grow them on for at least another year before planting them out into their permanent positions when the plants are dormant. Division with care in the autumn once the leaves have died down. Replant immediately. Bulb scales can be removed from the bulbs in early autumn. If they are kept in a warm dark place in a bag of moist peat, they will produce bulblets. These bulblets can be potted up and grown on in the greenhouse until they are large enough to plant out.
