Lilium speciosum var. rubrum Uchida

Lilium speciosum var. rubrum Uchida is a rare botanical lily, selected in Japan for its intense colours, hardiness, and good resistance to diseases. Both robust and elegant, it is also pleasantly fragrant, and its inclined flowers are more colourful than usual. They have wavy, bright and deep pink petals washed with red in the centre, edged with white, and adorned with dark pink to brown streaks and dots. This lily blooms later than others, sometimes its the last one, and extends the lily season. Ideal as a cut flower, it will thrive in the garden in full sun or partial shade, in light soil enriched with compost.

Lilium speciosum var. rubrum Uchida, native to East Asia, belongs to the Liliaceae family. It is a particularly interesting clone, the result of long selection work carried out in Japan by Hirotaka Uchida and his son Masao on Lilium speciosum Rubrum crops. In 1953, the 'Uchida' variety was officially recognised and introduced to the horticultural market. It is now beginning to appear in the gardens of flower enthusiasts. This subspecies can reach up to 1.30m (4ft) high with a spread of 50 cm (20in) after several years. It will flower in late summer and early autumn, usually August-September. The cherry pink flowers measure approximately 12-14 cm (5-6in) in diameter and have protruding stamens covered in brick-coloured pollen. The inflorescences bear up to 12 trailing and fragrant flowers, supported by long, flexible, and sturdy stems. This lily has wide, recurved petals, covered in spots, but slightly less curled than in the martagon lily. The leaves are dark green and measure 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8in) long and 5 cm (2in) wide, almost oval and quite wide. This lily forms stems that root underground.

Lilium speciosum var. rubrum Uchida is a good companion for hydrangeas, azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, and small Japanese maples, in acidic soil. If your soil is neutral or slightly alkaline, adding sand and a few shovelfuls of compost will keep this plant happy as it is less demanding than it seems. You can also grow it with perennial plants (grasses, perennial geraniums, daylilies) as it likes having its base in the shade, and these plants will help prevent the stems from bending in the wind. Lilies are ideal in flower beds and, of course, in bouquets.