I toolk a pic yesterday, the colour is really dark now, although the light coming through from above tends to lighten it in the pic.
Lilium nepalense is open!
Wallaby you've convinced me! This is one I've been tempted by a few times but it's now on my "must have" list! It's quite beautiful. Some of my hybrid lilies have quite sparse blooms this year - they must need a boost with some food!
Galanth, take the bite of the apple, it is tasty!
Hybrid lilies do tend to go downhill, they should be given a feed to build the bulb but I never do it. Some of my hybrids are dwindling a little too, the hot, dry weather won't help. The asiatics I grew myself from offsets, the red ones, have done well. Some bulbs come with ill health, your own are more likely to be healthy. Seed growing is meant to be the best way.
A good mulch of compost can be helpful.