More on Summer!

Have you tried hybridising? When the weather is good and your lilies are opening, dab a little pollen on the stigma of a floret the moment it opens. Here is a photo of a pollen covered stigma. The pollen grows down the long tube to the flower's ovary (immature seed pod), and begins seed production.

Hybridising is fun, and growing your own lilies from seed is exciting. More on that later!

This yellow floret a Lilium henryi hybrid. It's a chance seedling crossed with a seedling of 'Bright Star'. It's solid yellow colour is striking.

This is a species from China. It is Lilium rosthornii, and is a close relative of L. henryi.

'Leslie Woodriff' (left)

Looking striking against a background of greenery this vigorous lily does well in a semi-shady spot. 'Leslie Woodriff' is an oriental hybrid and has become very popular in latter years.