'Lilium chalcedonicum'
(Species / Wild Lily)
Prized for its red color, this Grecian native is generally found in humus rich, stony limestone soils and lightly shaded areas, but prone to virus and botrytis attacks in the garden. Named for the ancient city of Chalcedon, seed should be sown in an area where undisturbed growth can be maintained, as this species highly resents being moved, and is probably the main reason it is rarely seen in commerce. The addition of lime to the soil of western gardens is a must as in nature it is found on dry limestone hillsides. In its natural habitat, Lilium chalcedonicum flowers in July and August with up to 8 to 10 flowers. Its seed is epigeal and is often delayed and very erratic. Seed that does not germinate one year could very well begin growth the following season. Reported to be very susceptible to boytrytis infection.
The flowers of Lilium chalcedonicum are Turk's Cap in form and are a lovely shade of rich red. Crossed with Lilium candidum to produce the hybrid Lilium x 'Testaceum'. Photo insert #2 of L. x 'Testaceum' was provided by Ed McRae. Lilium chalcedonicum was used by Jan de Graaff to produces a number of seedlings, but none seem to have been ever released, but if so, must have not persisted in the garden.
Title photo was taken by Alan Mitchell of Scotland as found in the wilds of Northern Greece. Thank you Alan for your contribution showing L. chalcedonicum in its natural state. Copyright Alan Mitchell, all rights reserved.
Photo inset #1 courtesy of Dr. Fritz Ewald.
Photo insert #2 'L. x 'Testaceum' was provided by Ed McRae.
Photo insert #3 Copyright Ernst Gügel, all rights reserved. 'L. chalcedonicum in habitat at Hrisomiglia, Greece. Courtesy of WikiMedia Commons. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
This page is for reference only, not as an offer to sell species bulbs or seeds.
Prized for its red color, this Grecian native is generally found in humus rich, stony limestone soils and lightly shaded areas, but prone to virus and botrytis attacks in the garden. Named for the ancient city of Chalcedon, seed should be sown in an area where undisturbed growth can be maintained, as this species highly resents being moved, and is probably the main reason it is rarely seen in commerce. The addition of lime to the soil of western gardens is a must as in nature it is found on dry limestone hillsides. In its natural habitat, Lilium chalcedonicum flowers in July and August with up to 8 to 10 flowers. Its seed is epigeal and is often delayed and very erratic. Seed that does not germinate one year could very well begin growth the following season. Reported to be very susceptible to boytrytis infection.
The flowers of Lilium chalcedonicum are Turk's Cap in form and are a lovely shade of rich red. Crossed with Lilium candidum to produce the hybrid Lilium x 'Testaceum'. Photo insert #2 of L. x 'Testaceum' was provided by Ed McRae. Lilium chalcedonicum was used by Jan de Graaff to produces a number of seedlings, but none seem to have been ever released, but if so, must have not persisted in the garden.
Title photo was taken by Alan Mitchell of Scotland as found in the wilds of Northern Greece. Thank you Alan for your contribution showing L. chalcedonicum in its natural state. Copyright Alan Mitchell, all rights reserved.
Photo inset #1 courtesy of Dr. Fritz Ewald.
Photo insert #2 'L. x 'Testaceum' was provided by Ed McRae.
Photo insert #3 Copyright Ernst Gügel, all rights reserved. 'L. chalcedonicum in habitat at Hrisomiglia, Greece. Courtesy of WikiMedia Commons. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
This page is for reference only, not as an offer to sell species bulbs or seeds.
