In my garden, the madonna lily (Lilium candidum) is one of my loveliest plants. Even nicer, it is the easiest of all true lilies I grow. With a little winter protection, it is hardy here in the North, and I have seen it thriving in gardens everywhere.
This lovely white lily is native to Southern Europe and Southwest Asia. The huge white bulb from which it grows consists of loosely overlapping scales, each a complete unit in itself.
When removed from the bulb and planted in moist sand, each scale produCes tiny bulblets capable of growing exactly as the parent bulb.
Late Spring, Early Summer Flowers
Madonna lilies are evergreen through the winter. Each bulb produces but one stem, which projects from the very center of the rosette of loose scales.
This stem grows 3’ to 4’ feet tall and is clothed by narrow, short, swordlike leaves which manufacture food for the coming season.
The multitude of buds appear as a cluster on top of the most mature stem and grow so that, finally, the flowers face outward.
The height, habit of growth, and delicate beauty of the glistening white, trumpet-like flowers make them a display of understated, pristine loveliness when they bloom in June or early July. They bridge the gap between spring- and summer-blooming plants.
When you purchase Madonna lily bulbs, remember that size is less important than freshness. These bulbs need to be replanted soon after they have been lifted from the soil.
If you purchase by mail, get your order in early so the bulbs can be shipped immediately after being dug.
If you buy Madonna lily bulbs locally, inspect them to ensure each bulb’s scales are full, crisp, and well-attached to the basal plate. Bruised or badly shriveled bulbs are likely to fall heir to disease in your garden.
How To Propagate Madonna Lilies
If you have Madonna lilies and would like to propagate them, I suggest buying a few extra bulbs for this purpose.
Remove the scales from the basal plate, then plant them in damp sand with the tips just showing above the surface.
The scales from one bulb can produce as many as 40 new bulbs! In two months, little bulbs will form at the base of each scale.
Remove these, then place them in layers between slightly dampened peat moss in a closed fruit jar and store in the refrigerator until spring.
Or, if the weather is suitable, plant one inch deep in rows in the garden and mulch for one month. After that, remove the mulch until the ground freezes, then replace it.
These Are Beautiful Accent Plants
Madonnas may be incorporated into the home garden to set off a specific spot, such as the entrance or near a terrace or patio living area.
They are useful to draw attention to formal shrub planting, and I think they are at their supreme best as accent groupings in mixed perennial borders.
Because the stems are tall and the flowers white, choose a spot where they will be silhouetted against a taller, darker background such as shrubbery, stone walls, or against the shadowy depths of massive plantings.
Traditionally these lilies are planted with pink or red roses and blue delphiniums as companions. However, an arrangement of creamy white roses, white delphiniums, and madonna lilies is even more pleasing.
Madonna’s look best when planted in groups of six or more. Although they are breathtaking at close range, they are even more striking from across the lawn or through a picture window. One of the surest ways to find a perfect location is to cluster tall stakes in likely spots.
Then view them from all angles and from indoors. The chosen spot will probably be visible from several points of the home.
Plant Madonnas in Humus Soil
Any average garden soil rich in humus, and well-drained, is suitable for madonnas. However, these bulbs demand a near neutral soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.
Madonnas are best planted in August or early September. This gives them ample time to establish a good root system before cold weather sets in.
Plant them 1” to 2” inches below the surface in beds that have been well-worked to a depth of 10″ inches or more.
Madonnas are delightful in arrangements but do not remove flowers with long stems. If you need them this way, plant a few extra bulbs in an out-of-the-way place just for cutting purposes.
Although madonnas eventually need to be divided, do not do this until they are quite crowded. The division may be done right after the stems die back in midsummer. Replant as for new bulbs.
44659 by Betty Brinhart