Lilies in revolution

摘要

Lilies eontinue to grow in popularity, something that has been happening significantly from the introduction ot the Mid Century HybridS by Jan de Graaf in Oregon, USA, over fifty years ago. L. 'Enchantment' was rhe most famous of this Asiatic groupand soon persuaded gardeners that lilies of this type were not difficult plants; for instance, they proved to be one of the easiest and most rewarding ot pot plants. The reputation of lilies as difficult plants had been established by many of the species, despite the happy-go-lucky nature ot a few such as L. liiih'ifnUuni, the Tiger Lily. The inhibitions of the species were cancelled out by cross-breeding, while the value of the upright-tacing hybrids as cut flowers was soon realised and founded a new industry. The only other group to challenge the popularity of these Asiatic Hybrids was the Orientals, the heavily perfumed, large-flowered kinds originally bred from two species, L. attranmi and L. speciosuin. 'Stiir Gazer' has been a massively importantcultivar in this group because of its upward poise and leading position in the cut flower market. The only drawback to the Orientals has been their acute antipathy to lime.