Lilium Miss Feya

Lilium Miss Feya is a sensational novelty. This variety is undoubtedly the most powerful and reddest of all hybrids between oriental and trumpet lilies. This giant bulb raises an impressive stem up to 2.50m (8ft) from the ground and produces up to 40 very wide flowers, 20 cm (8in) wide, in one season. Their colour is a deep red-purple, darkened with brown at the centre of the petals, speckled with brown-violet and finely bordered with white. Their fragrance is discreet but delicate. It is a spectacular, sturdy garden plant that flourishes over the years. It is also a fabulous and long-lasting cut flower, which will add an individual touch to homemade bouquets.  

The genus Lilium belongs to the Liliaceae family. 'Miss Feya' is an enigmatic plant that closely resembles an older creation named 'LeVern Freimann' by the same American hybridiser. In fact, it is the same plant, which was quite rare when introduced in the USA due to its exorbitant price, and then multiplied on a large scale in the Netherlands under the name 'Miss Feya'. It is from the same vein as the famous hybrid 'Black Beauty', but it flowers later, is even more imposing, and its wider flowers have less curved petals. 'Miss Feya' is an exceptional hybrid, obtained by cross-breeding L. speciosum, which is very fragrant, with tall trumpet lilies, including L. henryi. It can easily reach a height of 1.50 to 2m (5 to 7ft), with a width of 50 cm (20in), when grown under optimal conditions. This hybrid sometimes takes a little time to establish itself, but it proves to be vigorous and quite hardy over the years. It will flower for several weeks in late July or early August on stems with 30 to 40 buds each, on a mature plant. The immense, dark red and brown flowers measure up to 20 cm (8in) in diameter and are softly scented in the evening. They are adorned with long, olive green stamens with white bases and brick-coloured anthers. The large, dark green leaves are 19 cm (8in) long and 6 cm (2in) wide and the stems are thick and sturdy, eliminating the need for staking. This lily quickly produces many bulbs.

This lily will thrive in humus-rich soil and does not like excessively chalky and poorly drained soils. You can grow Lilium 'Miss Feya' with white lilies (Lilium regale Album, Lilium speciosum Album), or grasses and perennial plants as it enjoys having its feet in the shade, and the other plants will help prevent the stems from bending in the wind. The lily is ideal on the edge of a grove, in the company of low shrubs (small rhododendrons, azaleas, Rosa rugosa, Gardenia Kleim's Hardy), and of course as a cut flower.