Martagon Lily 'Claude Shride'

Lilium martagon 'Claude Shride' is a sophisticated and vigorous Turk's-cap lily that is highly sought after for UK woodland gardens. It produces tall, sturdy stems (up to 1.5m) with whorls of dark green leaves, topped by numerous nodding flowers with strongly reflexed petals. The colour is a rich, mahogany red-purple, lightly spotted with orange-yellow in the throat. Unlike many lilies, Martagons are happy in dappled shade and actually prefer a soil that is neutral to alkaline (lime-tolerant). They can take a year or two to settle in and flower after planting, but once established, they are long-lived and very hardy. They add a graceful, vertical element to shady borders and are less prone to the viruses that affect many hybrid lilies. They should be planted deeply in cool, moist, well-drained soil and left undisturbed to form impressive clumps over time.

Sun: Partial shade.

Soil: Well-drained, alkaline to neutral soil.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul.