Lilium henryi

Lilium henryi, sometimes called Henry's Lily, should be planted more often like the Royal Lily or the Madonna Lily, due to its incredible adaptability. This giant bulb, native to central China, is one of the most accommodating in terms of soil and climate, and one of the most reliable. Emerging from the ground to over 2 metres (7 feet) tall, its sturdy stem bears up to forty, apricot-orange flowers in August, with inclined and curled petals resembling lanterns. The petals have the peculiar fleshy crests characteristic of this species. Planted in well-drained soil, even limestone and dry in summer, it will faithfully flower every year once established.

Lilium henryi is a botanical species that grows in the mountains of central China, particularly in the gorges of the Yangtze, on limestone soil. This species, which could almost be called forest-dwelling, is vigorous and easy to grow. Lilium henryi is a bulbous plant with dark red scales and deciduous foliage, forming a narrow and very vertical clump from spring onwards. It belongs to the Liliaceae family. This robust, tall and slender plant will reach a height of 2m (7ft) to 2.5m (8ft) (sometimes 3m (10ft)) in flower, and the clump will slowly spread, as the plant produces a few bulblets through vegetative multiplication. An old bulb can weigh up to 250g before dividing. In August, 7 to 9 cm (3 to 4in) wide flowers appear, grouped in 2 or 3 in a terminal pyramid-shaped umbel on robust and flexible stems that do not need staking. These flowers are pendulous and their petals curl at maturity. Each stem bears 20 to 40 well-spaced flowers, composed of 6 recurved tepals, in a soft orange colour that fades in the sun, splashed with reddish-brown lines and dots and adorned with small fleshy protrusions resembling thorns. The flower's centre releases long green filaments and dark red anthers. The whorled, dark green leaves are relatively small, quite wide and pointed and shorter towards the top of the floral stem. It is a very long-lived plant that naturalises over time. You must plant at least two different individuals to produce seeds, as this lily reproduces through cross-pollination.

In your garden, you can grow this lily with hybrid martagon lilies (such as Orange Marmalade and Claude Shryde), which tolerate similar growing conditions, or with perennial plants and grasses, as the lilies like shade at their base. You can also grow it in a pot to bring it closer to your terrace or window borders and fully enjoy its exceptional, wildly graceful flowers.