Lilium formosanum var. pricei

Description

Lilium formosanum var. pricei (commonly known as the Formosa Lily as it originates in Formosa, now known as Taiwan) is a rarely seen plant in UK gardens but that makes for a striking presence in rock gardens, sloped areas or in containers. In spring it puts up dark green, slim strappy foliage, much like a cultivated dwarf grass plant like Hakonechloa, but from mid-summer onwards it sends up dark red buds full of promise that emerge later into large typical lily flowers, looking like a flared trumpet, with white fading into red-pink flushing on the outside of the petals and prominent stamens (very similar to the more usually seen Lilium regale flowers). Like many lilies, the flowers are beautifully scented. The scent alone has for us always been sufficient to keep growing lilies in our garden – there is nothing quite like it for stopping you dead in your tracks and taking it in.

These established, garden-ready plants have been grown in peat-free compost at our nursery in Cornwall and are supplied in two-litre containers. The large flowers (around 10cm long) will reach up to an ultimate height of about 25cm (10 inches), with the overall plant spreading across a similar distance.