'Lilium martagon var. albiflorum' (Lily species)
Flower Description: L. martagon albiflorum. When it comes to rare martagon types, albiflorum is the rarest of the rare. First described by the Yogoslav botanist Vukotinovic in 1877, this magnificent martagon was found in central Yugoslavia near Zagreb. We have just now introduced this lovely wild lily into our own home garden, and the bulbs being offered now are coming to us directly from the propagator. The grace and beauty of albiflorum not only rivals, but surpasses that of its unspotted and more common cousin, L. martagon album. As with all martagons, it will appreciate a planting site with some dappled shade along with a little lime sprinkled above its bulb each fall. Grows to about 4 feet once settled.
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.
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: Lilium Species (USDA Zones 5-9, colder climates w/winter mulch.)
