L. Speciosum makes an excellent pot plant, and is grown by many people in their conservatories. In fact, it shares the honour with Lilium Harrisii of being the only lily commonly grown under glass. As a cut flower it is very useful.
Just a word about cutting lilies. Never cut the stem down near the ground. Always leave about twenty leaves, else the bulb may suffer.
If you are going to bring lilies up to town from the country, cut the buds off just before they open. These stand less risk of damage in moving, and they will open perfectly if placed in water.
Cut lilies are thirsty plants and need a lot of water. They last from one to two weeks if plentifully watered, but die almost immediately when water is withheld. We have before warned you against spoiling your lilies by removing the anthers.
A lovely little lily is Lilium Krameri. The delicate pink of its blossoms, its slender growth, its early flowering, and its fragrance render it worthy of a place in every garden.
Like most of the lilies we have described, L. Krameri hails from Japan. In most particulars it resembles a little L. Auratum, but its flowers are totally different from any other species. They are about four inches across, of a waxy white to deep blush pink colour. The anthers are brown.
This lily flowers in June. It is not easy to do well with. It is rather tender and very susceptible to early frosts. Its cultivation is similar to that of L. Auratum.
Last year there was exhibited in London flowers of a new lily somewhat resembling L. Krameri. It flowered at Kew in June, and we were fortunate enough to flower a specimen in our own garden. This new species has received the name of Lilium Rubellum, and, though it resembles L. Krameri, it is undoubtedly a true species.
The flowers are small (our one was two and a half inches across), the petals have the tissue-paper look like a Cistus instead of the waxy appearance presented by most lilies. The colour is a full rich pink, and the anthers are yellow.
Its cultivation is similar to that of the other Archelirions.