Lilium martagon Orange Marmelade - Lily

Lilium martagon 'Orange Marmalade' has tall flowering stems in June, bearing up to 30 fragrant small flowers. A lovely bright orange colour and recurved petals complete its exotic appearance. It takes a little longer to establish, but it is a sturdy bulbous plant that adds true personality to the garden and will faithfully bloom every year. This lily will tolerate limestone. A rarity for collectors or enthusiasts of original plants.

Lilium martagon Orange Marmalade is the result of cross-breeding between L. martagon, L.hansonii from Korea and L. tsingtauense, native to Eastern China and Korea. 'Orange Marmalade' has pendulous, orange flowers. The plant will reach 90 to 100 cm (35 to 39in) high. The very bright flowers bloom in June when each stem bears 20 to 30, pleasantly fragrant flowers with a diameter of 4 cm (2in) which attract butterflies. The leaves are lanceolate, medium green, and slightly shiny.

This lily establishes with a little more difficulty than other Asian lilies. It may take an additional season before flowering, and planting conditions must be carefully considered. Martagon lilies sulk when moved and need to settle in. The Martagon lily and its hybrids are perfect for the edges of woodlands, well-drained slopes, and slightly wild meadow areas. You can grow these lilies with perennial plants as they appreciate having their feet in the shade. They also thrive in moist rockeries and containers and bring a very refined touch to bouquets.