Lilies Claude Shride -MASTER-

Claude Shride is Martagon Lily and each bulb produces multitudes of reflexed flowers on racemes, up to 20 per stem, with deep mahogany coloured petals with golden orange spotting. Golden orange anthers appear on long stamens and the plant has narrow, glossy dark green lanceolate-shaped foliage.

Turk’s cap reflexed petals and deep reds, Claude Shride is a very tall and showy mid-summer bloom that has wonderful aromas and consider by some to be one of the best perennial ornamental Lilies. Plant these tall beauties ideally in a border or allow to naturalise in a bed. Great in large pots or containers near patio areas and walkways for some extra special blooms. Excellent for planting in groups with spacing of 15-20cm between bulbs. Use as a cut flower and enjoy these intricate blooms in a vase or flower arrangement.

Lilies in the genus of Lilium are herbaceous perennial ornamental flowers that grow from bulbs. Two of the most popular varieties are Asiatic and Oriental lilies. Asiatic lilies are generally easy to grow and very showy with a variety of colours but are generally shorter (50-90cm). Oriental lilies are notably taller (100-120cm or more), slower growing and noteworthy for their wonderful fragrances. Asiatic lilies bloom early in the late spring and early summer, whereas Oriental lilies start blooming towards the beginning of summer up to the end of summer.

Lilies have multiple blooms per stem and a seemingly endless array of colours to brighten up garden spaces. Planting can be done in early spring or fall, but fall planting ensures better and stronger growth for the upcoming season’s growing. Lilies are showy and do well naturalising areas. Lilies are great for planting in pots and containers or in beds and borders to enjoy for their beauty or scent, or both.

Plant Lilies in the range of 15-25cm and ensure that the soil is loosened even deeper to encourage strong root growth for the bulbs. Plant in well-drained soils with exposure to at least 6-8 hours of sunlight, adverse reactions to lack of sunlight include spindly or leaning plants that are more inclined to topple.

Lilies look better in groups and the suggestion is to plant at least 3-5 bulbs in an area with a spacing of 25cm. Easy to grow, Lilies with their numerous blooms are very attractive for pollinators like birds, bees and butterflies. When the blooming and growing cycle has finished, wait until foliage starts to die back, there should be an apparent yellowing of the foliage, this allows the plant to restore energy to the bulb for the next season’s growth.