Lilium Gwen - Asiatic lily

Lilium 'Gwen' is a dwarf Asiatic lily with large white flowers, selected for containers, borders, and as a cut flower. Its wide-open, upward-facing corollas are enhanced by fine spots and a very soft yellow centre. This compact, this lily still carries numerous corollas on each stem. With light stamens that produce little pollen, its flower will be lovely near the house, on the terrace, or in summer cut flower arrangements.

A perennial bulb from the Liliaceae family, Lilium 'Gwen' belongs to the horticultural group of Asiatic hybrids, more specifically compact Asiatic lilies for pots. It is a Dutch introduction from Q.J. Vink & Zonen B.V., registered in the bulb register in 2019. The plant forms a clump of upright, well-leafed stems bearing dense, dark green foliage formed of narrow lanceolate leaves. It reaches 40 to 50 cm tall, sometimes a little more, with a spread of about 20 cm. The single, six-tepaled flowers are upright, star-shaped or slightly cup-shaped, and measure 10 to 15 cm in diameter. Their colour ranges from pure white to creamy white, with a pale yellow centre and a few small darker points towards the throat; the stamens produce very little pollen, which limits staining on clothes and tablecloths. The early flowering occurs in early summer, from June to July, depending on the climate. The stems are firm, suitable for cutting, and support the weight of the inflorescences well. Like the majority of Asiatic lilies, it is a very hardy plant that will withstand severe frosts in well-drained soil. Its growth is deciduous: the vegetation yellows and disappears after flowering, while the bulb regenerates each year.

In the garden, plant 'Gwen' lilies in small groups to highlight their luminosity. They fit nicely between dark or purple foliage, for example, that of Heuchera 'Obsidian'. To add movement to your display, pair it with soft ornamental grasses like Stipa tenuifolia 'Pony Tails'. Its light flowers stand out among the violet spikes of Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' and the rose-purple balls of Allium 'Lavender Bubbles'. For a more delicate atmosphere, it can also be combined with the light umbels of Astrantia major 'Roma'. In a bouquet, a few stems of 'Gwen' lily brighten up a display with some perennials from the garden, in a simple vase.