More Martagons

My large stand of Martagon lilies in the back garden are all the variety 'Mrs. R. O. Backhouse'. In only a few years half a dozen bulbs have exploded, while the Martagons in the driveway border — the deep red 'Claude Shride' — have expanded much more slowly. The difference may be the quality of the soil, amount of sun (or lack thereof) or the degree of rainfall that reaches the different groups. I've never quite been able to determine the reason for the difference in their growth habits. Even though there's not many of them, the lacquered red of the petals of 'Claude Shride' make up in drama what they lack in volume. 

Comments

[Lisa at Greenbow]

These dark colors are striking.

[Laura]

lovely, lovely, lovely

will you share your secrets for growing them? I've also seen them at Olbrich..are they Mrs.RO Backhouse, too?

[Julie Siegel]

I can't figure out these lilies either and would like to since they're so amazing. Saw some thriving once at Bill Kurtis' "spread" north of Chicago. His were in fairly deep part shade, probably had good soil that started out clay and definitely had a terrific gardener, like you.