Lilium Robert Swanson - Oriental Lily

Lilium 'Robert Swanson' is part of a fabulous lineage of lily hybrids between orientals and trumpets. It has retained some of the fragrance of the former while offering a fantastic colour that is only found in the latter. This spectacular plant has a very large bulb that will produce a flower stalk that can bear up to 40 widely spread flowers in the second half of summer. The vividness of the colour, in contrast between bronzed red and buttery yellow, is enhanced by the curve of the flower. It is a magnificent garden plant that will get better year after year, in rich, very well-drained and not-too-dry soil. Its giant flower stalk is so strong that it often does not require staking.

The genus Lilium belongs to the Liliaceae family. 'Robert Swanson', introduced in 2003 in the Netherlands, is part of a horticultural category called O/T Group. It can reach 2m (7ft) high, with a width of 50cm (20in), when grown under optimal conditions and after 3 or 4 years of cultivation. This hybrid sometimes takes a little time to establish itself, but it proves vigorous and hardy over the years if it benefits from very well-drained soil, rather dry in winter but slightly moist from spring to the end of summer. Flowering begins in mid-July and continues until mid-August depending on the climate. Over several weeks, up to 40 buds will open on a mature plant. The flowers measure 15 to 20cm (6 to 8in) in diameter and are slightly fragrant, especially in the evening. The flower consists of 6 long petals that are gracefully curled at their tips and wavy along the edges. The petals are pure yellow on the outside and bronze-red with a yellow border on the inside. The throat of the flower is adorned with a green mark bordered by bright lemon yellow. The throat is filled with long light green stamens with rusty brown pollen and dark stigmas. The large leaves, 18cm (7in) long and 3cm (1in) wide, are dark green. Their leathery texture tends to discourage lily beetles. The above-ground vegetation of the lilies disappears in winter and emerges from the ground quite late in spring.

This lily thrives in humus-rich soil and does not like chalky and poorly drained soils, as its bulb is sensitive to winter humidity. It can be a good idea to cover the base with an impermeable film or thick mulch in winter, although this technique is effective but not very attractive. The flowers will last longer and their colour will be preserved if the plant is somewhat shaded in the afternoon. You can combine Lilium 'Robert Swanson' with white lilies (Lilium regale Album, Lilium speciosum Album), red, orange (Henry's Botanical Lily) as well as grasses and perennial plants, as it appreciates having its feet in the shade. The latter will also help prevent the stems from bending under the effect of wind and rain. The lily is ideal on the edge of a grove, in the company of low shrubs (azaleas, Rosa rugosa Blanc double de Coubert, Hortensia Snow Queen), and of course in bouquets.