One of the stout-hearted lilies found in Korea thriving among grasses and low-growing shrubs was Lilium amabile. Bulbs were first available in 1905. Amabile means pleasing or lovely.
The single thing not pleasing is the somewhat offensive odor of the flowers, which is not too apparent in the garden but practically disqualifies this species from cutting material.
The stem rooting, white, oval-shaped bulbs are somewhat pointed. Narrow leaves on two to three-foot plants are fairly numerous but scattered.
The reflexed blossoms of open martagon form, larger and heavier than those of Lilium pumilum (tenuifolium), vary from orange-red to brilliant red, densely spotted with black.
Seedlings with orange-yellow blossoms were first mentioned in 1933, and a yellow one a year later. Lilium amabile luteum, the yellow form, is as spotted as the red.
A fine unspotted yellow, a rare treasure, appeared among a row of unlabeled lily seedlings in my garden in 1955.
The lily books do not specifically mention unspotted yellows but state that unspotted forms of L. Amabile are occasionally found among seedlings.
Bloom Time and Growth Conditions
Lilium amabile blooms in this area in late May and June. Bulbs are available, but it is an easy lily from seeds.
When seedlings bloom, selections can be made for the more desirable good clear, brilliant reds and bright yellows without orange.
The plants are vigorous and robust growers and can tolerate somewhat dry conditions if necessary.
In full bloom, they add bright spots of color to the center of borders in the sun or, better yet, in partial shade. Mature bulbs of red and yellow forms send up fine, sturdy stems with tiers of blossoms.
Hybridization With Lilium Amabile
The Duchess
‘The Duchess’ may be the first hybrid of Lilium amabile to be reported. It was originated by F. L. Skinner of Dropmore, Manitoba, Canada, and is a cross of L. amabile with an elegans variety. The color is saffron yellow with many brown spots.
The texture of the blossoms is thick and wax-like. The plants grow 3’ feet or more in height.
Blossoms that are almost flat and face outward are produced freely. This hybrid was introduced in 1943. It appears to be even more vigorous than its parents and increases rapidly
Cardinal
Lilium amabile has been used in other crosses and proved a good parent. J. C. Taylor at the Ontario Agricultural College worked for several years to produce ‘Cardinal.’
The initial idea was to produce a lily similar in color to L. amabile with the same early flowering habit in combination with the vigor, robust growth, and stem bulbils of L. tigrinum.
Since the latter bloomed later than L. Amabile, it was necessary to force L. tigrinum to bloom early in a greenhouse. L. amabile was used as the pollen parent, and from this cross, seeds were secured.
Over 150 plants were grown to blooming size. The one plant that was selected as having the qualities desired was named ‘Cardinal.’
The nodding, brilliant red blossoms with reflexed petals are smaller but spotted like the tiger lily.
Waxwing
Another lily produced at the Ontario Agricultural College is ‘Waxwing.’ Again Lilium amabile was the pollen parent, with a Philadelphicum hybrid as the seed parent.
‘Waxwing’ grows 3 ½’ to 4’ feet tall, an easy and reliable lily. The spotted outward-facing blossoms are cadmium yellow in color.
44659 by Olga Rolf Tiemann