Lily bulb - L. martagon x 'Slate's Gem'
Flower Description: We believe that 'Slate's Gem' was named in honor George Slate, an avid martagon breeder and grower. What we don't know, as this planting stock originated in Holland, is was this one of his seedlings that was “selected” for naming, or one named in his honor. Either way, this still is one “Gem” hybrid of L. martagon. We love the rich and unusual peachy-coral coloration with a highlight of yellow/gold in the center. Not as heavily spotted as some martagons, what really adds interest is that each spot is circled in yellow/gold. If this was indeed one of George's hybrids, we would have to rate it as one of his best. If named in his honor, this is was a magnificent and most fitting tribute to a life of work with lilies.
Martagon lilies are classic choices for old style gardens. Perfect for the edge of treed woodlots, but as with all bulbs in such areas, protect from tunneling moles, gophers, etc., using wire cages or raised planters with hardware cloth stapled to the bottom as a barrier.
Martagon species, as well as their hybrids, resent being moved and fall is their best time for planting for success. Actually, the optimal time for moving a martagon is while it is in full bloom. While the jobber companies (those that just buy and resell) are either not aware of this, or simply don't care being they are not growers, we are and we do. Spring planted martagons often times do not emerge the first season and those that do, often fail to bloom their first season. It is for that reason, we here at B & D Lilies only ship these magnificent lilies in the fall giving you the absolute best chances for success.
ADDED MARCH 10, 2014 We missed our plant back time for the surplus fall bulbs this past January due to unusually cold and wet weather. We have approximately 120 martagons that if planted back now, in March, would need to remain in the ground until fall of 2015 before being ready to harvest again. For the first time, we are offering these bulbs for spring planting as we are rotating fields in the fall of 2014 and they will greatly resent being dug and moved again at a time when they are just getting settled back in.
Be patient, those that do not come up this spring nor bloom, should be great in the summer of 2015. All bulbs are priced at $9.95 and originally sold last fall for $14.95. There will be no back orders at this special sale price. Be sure to mark each bulb when planting so that those that do not emerge this year will not be forgotten and have something planted on top of them.
More difficult to establish than our Asiatic, Trumpet or Oriental lilies, our Martagon lilies are guaranteed to be healthy and true-to-name, but not for failure to grow. May take an additional season before blooming and conditions need to be more exacting. Martagons pout when they are moved and need to settle back in to their new homes. Provide perfect drainage, rocky soil is fine, and don't over water the bulbs during summer while they are in dormancy. Bulbs resent transplanting and could rot during a cold, wet winter/spring or during the summer, if you add any moisture retentive materials to the soil around the bulb itself. Under no circumstances use peat for L. martagon or its hybrids, but leaf mold and/or compost as a top dressing in the fall is desirable.
Classification: Martagon Hybrid Lily (USDA Zones 3-9, lows to -40° F.)
Stock #4202 - L. martagon x 'Slate's Select' - Martagon Hybrid Lily Bulb
