Then there is the double Martagon, about the stupidest flower which owns the name of lily. It is extraordinary the rage people have for double flowers. It is very rarely that a double flower has half the beauty of the single variety. In the rose, the chrysanthemum, the aster and other composite flowers, the double varieties are indeed vastly superior to the single flowers. But to us all the double bulbous plants are incomparably inferior to the single ones. In the lilies, the double varieties are scarcely worth growing.
Lilium Martagon and its varieties should be grown in masses or as a thick border. Beyond seeing that the plants are well watered, they give no trouble and should never be disturbed.
Lilium Pomponium, or, as it is sometimes called, Lilium Pomponicum, is another well-known lily from Central Europe. It resembles the last in many particulars, but the leaves are linear and scattered, and the blossoms are not nearly so numerous as are those of L. Martagon.
From three to ten flowers are produced on each stem. The flowers are nodding with the segments much recurved, and are about an inch across. In the type the colour is a dullish-red, but there are also orange and yellow varieties.
This lily looks well in big masses, for the blossoms are very graceful, though perhaps rather disappointing for a lily.
Lilium Pyrenaicum, or the yellow Turk’s cap, is by some authorities considered to be only a variety of the last; by others to be a distinct species. As its name tells you, it comes from the Pyrenees, and it is not known as a wild plant in other parts of the continent. Yet, by the way, we see that it is sometimes included among the British wild flowers from some apparently wild examples having been found in the Isle of Wight. Probably these are simply garden escapes; still it is possible that they are indigenous to that island.
Except in the colour of its flowers, the Pyrenean Martagon exactly resembles the Pompon lily. The flowers are slightly larger than are those of L. Pomponicum, and are of a fine yellow colour, spotted with purple. The outside of the tube is red.
Lately this lily has become very popular, but it is not altogether a desirable plant as the blossoms exhale a rank and disagreeable odour.
In the Japanese Islands is found a Martagon lily, differing very markedly from the European species, which we have just described. This lily, Lilium Hansoni by name, is very rare and not often seen in cultivation. But we believe that in a short time it will become a well-known and popular plant.
A well-grown specimen of Hanson’s lily stands about five feet high and bears a pyramidal spike of yellowish-orange blossoms. The flowers are not nearly so much recurved as are those of the other Martagons. The segments are thick and fleshy, of a bright orange slightly spotted with purple. The flowers are about two inches across. From three to fifty are present in each spike.