'L. callosum var. flaviflorum' (Lilium)

The yellow form of Lilium callosum , this dainty variant is found chiefly on the island of Okinawa. Easily grown from seed, it is not as long lived as the type. Our first seed of var. flaviflorum came from the prestigious Ofuna Botanical Garden, Japan. Years ago we were able to exchange seed of many of our North American species with Ofuna for the species of Japan. We found it easy to grow and flower in an unheated greenhouse, but to be difficult and short lived in the garden.

Our "seed exchange" program with Ofuna started by sending seed of a few of our west coast natives as a gift with a request for seed of any Japanese natives they may have available. Within weeks, a very gracious letter from director, Akio Matsuo arrived with a packet full of small envelopes of native seed, greatly exceeding in numbers what we had sent. Being thankful, we sent more seed of species not previously sent expressing thanks, and a few weeks later, even more seed came back. Next, we sent seed of the eastern US natives, a few weeks later even more seed came back.

We mentioned to a Japanese friend our exchange of seed and were feeling "guilty" that Ofuna had sent about 3 times the volume back and we had nothing new left, they had all of the US species now. She explained that "Japanese people are honor bound to return a gift with a greater gift and to now simply thank them for their generosity" which we did. She also told us stories of how when she was a little girl, the family would go up into the mountains to collect wild lilies to eat, being considered a delicacy. She would from time to time glean bulbs left in a field after harvest but when asked why she never took any of the trumpet bulbs, her reply was, "purple bulbs are bitter".


Lily Bulb - 'L. callosum var. flaviflorum'
LS22
©2008, Robert J. Gibson. This page is for reference only, not as an offer to sell species bulbs or seeds. Click on 'Wild Lilies (non-hybrid)' to your left for currently offered species bulbs.: 

Welcome to B&D Lilies
First in Garden Lilies™ since 1978.


(This site was updated on Thursday, July 29, 2010


Thank you for your patronage and the opportunity to help beautify your garden.™ - from your friends at B&D Lilies.

View our Privacy Statement, click on "Info" to your left. HAVE A QUESTION? Need help choosing varieties for your garden? Discovered a non-working link in this site? TELEPHONE: 360-765-4341 (M-F, 9-5, Pacific time). FAX MACHINE 24 hrs/day: 360.765.4074

E-Mail contact information:

New e-mail address: lilygarden@bdlilies.com

(Please indicate your location so we may better serve you. E-mail is generally answered within 24 hours. To slow down spam from automatic "email harvesters", we have removed the automatic link, please copy and paste the above address into your email program to send us a message. Thank you.) ©2010 B&D Lilies, all rights reserved.