'L. grayi' (Lilium)

Named after American botanist Asa Gray, this native of N. Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia produces smooth, funnel shaped flowers. The deep, brick red blooms are strongly spotted in red-purple. The rhizomatous bulbs can be difficult in cultivation, but given the right location with plenty of moisture during the growing season and a soil rich in humus, it will settle in quite nicely. Rarely seen in commerce our best stock came from a tissue cultured selection named 'Gulliver's Thimble' cloned by Dr. Richard M. Adams in 1981 and introduced to commerce by B & D Lilies in 1984.

Photo inset is of Lilium grayi habitat. Photo courtesy of Dr. Richard M. Adams.