Lilium Ivory Pixie - Lily

Lilium 'Ivory Pixie' is part of a new series of Asian lilies selected in the U.S.A. for their small size and floribundity. These robust varieties are particularly suited for pots to decorate the terrace or balcony. Their short stems, which bear at least 8 flowers, remain in full bloom for 4 weeks in summer. The 'Ivory Pixie' variety offers ivory-white flowers, with hints of cream and green in the throat. This bulbous plant is easy to grow in full sun or partial shade, in well-drained moist soil. It is also a very attractive border plant and an excellent cut flower.

The genus Lilium belongs to the family Liliaceae, its representatives are bulbous plants generally very resistant to cold in soils that do not retain excessive water in winter. The 'Pixie' lilies are very recent hybrids, obtained in Oregon, and still little known. They were obtained through cross-breeding various Asian species, including the robust and very accommodating Lilium longiflorum. 'Ivory Pixie' is a bulbous plant that spends the winter dormant underground. Its growth starts around April, with a leafy stem. It will reach a height of about 40 cm (16in) when in bloom, and the clump will spread indefinitely over time, with bulbs producing bulblets through vegetative multiplication. It will flower from mid-June to mid-July, depending on the climate. Along the leafy stems, upright trumpet-shaped flowers appear, measuring up to 8 cm (3in) in diameter on a mature plant. They are very bright, discreetly speckled with small brown spots in the throat. The stems are covered with alternate, spirally arranged, dark green, narrow and shiny leaves.

This lily thrives year after year in any well-drained soil enriched with compost or potting soil. You can grow it with low-growing perennial plants as it likes having its base in the shade. 'Ivory' can be planted in a pot along with other Pixie lilies (yellow, red, orange), lobelias, verbenas or nemesis for example. It can also be used in borders, in small groups in with other perennials such as campanulas, daylilies, love-in-a-mist, cosmos... It will also accompany compact blue or white agapanthus in full sun. Creeping phlox, aubrietas or silver mound will cover its base with an elegant carpet. This small lily is ideal for borders and, of course, for bouquets.