Lilium, Trumpet Lily 'African Queen'

This is one of the most beautiful and best smelling lilies I have grown, and I grow many different species of Lilium, so that says someth...Read Moreing. I purchased mine from Easy to Grow Bulbs and received three bulbs, which have taken off and are only getting better and better each year. I have them planted in my northeast facing micro-climate garden, where they are in partial shade but get plenty of sun too. The flowers are very large, kind of a gold-orange colour with mauve coloured bands, and are of course, trumpet shaped. The fragrance always blows me away, in a really good sense. A very sweet, yet sort of medicinal smell, but very addictive to those of us who love all of the different plant and flower fragrances. On Summer evenings and in the early morning, the fragrance permeates the air in my gardens, and can be detected from a bit of distance. I love to sit there with my coffee in the morning, and enjoy all the different fragrances throughout my gardens. This lily is certainly one of the best, and I highly recommend it to everyone.

This lily has really taken off. I planted two of them about 4 years ago. One has grown to about 7 feet tall, the other is about 5 1/2 f...Read Moreeet. Wonderful fragrance too. I've never seen anything like it!

In 2008 Fall, we planted many Trumpet, Orienpet and Oriental Lilies including some well known varieties like Silk Road, Scheherazade, Bl...Read Moreack Beauty, etc. Since some of the Orienpets were somewhat expensive and high in the popularity polls, we gave the Orienpets the best spots in our garden. Thus the lowly trumpets had to go in less desirable areas.

In mid-spring of 2009, we were pleasantly surprised at the growth and beauties of the trumpet lilies even in part shade and with less care. Among all of them the African Queen pleased us most. They were tall, gorgeous, and bright golden color and totally pest and disease free. On the contrary, the so-called renowned lilies like some of the OT's were thin, leggy (except the Silk Roads), and it appeared that none of them liked us (or the Toledo climate) at all in spite of getting the best spot and lots of love and care). Anyway, we were so pleased with the African Queens that we plan to order a bunch of only African Queen bulbs for next year. Our plan is to replace some of the leggy unhappy OT's with the magnificent vibrant colored African Queens. From Toledo, Ohio.

I bought this lily bulb fresh when it came into the nursey, a large specimen. They should not be allowed to dry out to do well, so advis...Read Moreable to get a fresh bulb. if posssible. Planted in the autumn 3 years ago, the emerging shoot next season was trodden on by myself and it didn't show again until the following year. Last year it had 1 good stem, this year 2, which grew to around 7 feet tall. The ceanothus shrub I planted it behind has grown over it, but it seems to like this and grows up over the top. The ground was mulched (when I trod on it!) with a thick layer of leafy compost. No other food given, it has rewarded me for my neglect. In zone 8a Uk. We have frosts to -6C, occasionally to -9C, and it gets no sun in the winter