Content
Lily African Lady is a spectacular new selection that has captivated even the most sophisticated gardeners with its beauty. This hybrid is distinguished not only by the bright color of the buds and their large size, but also by increased frost resistance and low susceptibility to diseases. Despite its hardiness, the African Lady lily shows maximum decorative value only if the recommended growing conditions are observed. Therefore, it is worth studying them in advance, as well as familiarizing yourself with all the advantages and disadvantages of the hybrid.
Lily of this variety is suitable for commercial and amateur cultivation
History of appearance
This variety appeared on the market not so long ago. It was first presented at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2012 and went on sale in 2015. Upon registration, this interspecific hybrid was named African Lady.
This lily was bred by Polish breeders. When creating it, varieties of three main cultural groups were used, namely long-flowered, Nepalese and oriental. Thanks to multi-stage selection, the resulting hybrid was able to absorb only the best qualities from its ancestors.From the long-flowered species, the African Lady lily inherited the tubular shape of the flowers, height and resistance to frost, from the Nepalese - endurance and strong immunity, and from the orientals - a pleasant aroma, the size of the flowers and their inherent edging along the edge of the petals.
Description of the African Lady lily with photo
This perennial has a number of characteristics that set it apart from the rest. Therefore, knowing them, you can accurately identify the African Lady lily even in the most numerous collection.
Features of flowering
The flowering period of this hybrid may shift slightly, depending on the climate of the growing region. In the middle zone it begins in mid-July. And in the southern and northern regions it shifts ten days earlier or later, respectively. The flowering period of the African Lady lily is 2-3 weeks. The variety is excellent for cutting. Its flowers remain fresh in a vase for up to ten days.
Lily African Lady is characterized by the large size of the buds. When fully opened, their diameter reaches 20-35 cm. The flowers of the African Lady lily are funnel-shaped and simple. They consist of six petals, which in the middle are strongly bent to the sides. In the center of the flowers there are long yellowish stamens with burgundy anthers, which only enhances the decorative nature of the hybrid. The main color of the buds of the OT-hybrid African Lady lily is cherry-red, but there is a creamy-yellow edge around the edges of the petals.
If all growing conditions are met, already in the third year after planting the perennial produces 10-20 flowers, but most often their number is 15. The aroma of this lily variety is pleasant and moderate.
The contrasting shades present in the color of the hybrid flowers attract the eye
Height of African Lady Lily
This hybrid can be recognized by its strong peduncle, which can easily withstand the load during the flowering period and does not need support. The height of the plant varies from 100 to 130 cm. However, when planting the African Lady lily in partial shade, the length of its peduncle can reach 150-180 cm.
The leaves are evenly spaced on the stem, sessile. Moreover, the lower plates are larger in size compared to the rest. The leaves of the hybrid are glossy, have a rich dark green tint, and their length reaches 6-12 cm.
Advantages and disadvantages
This perennial has many advantages, so it was able to gain popularity among gardeners, despite its recent appearance on the market. However, the hybrid also has some disadvantages that need to be taken into account when choosing it.
African Lady Lily can be grown in one place for 5-7 years
Main advantages:
- endurance;
- increased frost resistance;
- large bud size;
- low susceptibility to diseases and pests;
- moderate aroma;
- suitable for cutting;
- contrasting color;
- long continuous flowering;
- strong stem.
Flaws:
- does not tolerate organic matter;
- prefers low-acid soil;
- needs periodic transplants;
- flowers lose their decorative effect after rain.
Features of cultivation
Despite the fact that the African Lady lily does not require complex care, certain rules of agricultural technology must still be followed when growing it. Planting of the perennial can be done in the spring, namely in April-May and in the fall - in August-September. When purchasing, you must carefully examine the hybrid bulb. It should have tight, smooth, shiny scales of a reddish-brown hue without signs of rot, mold, or soft darkened areas.
For the African Lady lily, it is recommended to choose an open sunny area with light shading at midday. It is important that the soil is loose, nutritious, and slightly acidic. Wetlands and areas with a groundwater level of less than 1 m are not suitable for planting the African Lady lily, otherwise the bulb may rot.
The perennial should be planted in a hole, the depth of which should be three times the size of the bulb, but not less than 12-15 cm. A layer of sand, 3 cm thick, should be poured onto the bottom. The bulb should be placed in the center with the bottom down, sprinkled with earth, and then lightly compact the soil. When planting a lily in moist soil, there is no need to water it additionally.
If the bulb has a sprout when planting, it must be completely buried in the soil.
Caring for a hybrid does not require complex actions; it is enough to follow the standard rules of agricultural technology. It is recommended to water the lily only during prolonged drought. Moisturizing is especially important at the stage of bud formation and flowering. During these periods, it is recommended to water in the evening, soaking the soil to a depth of 10 cm.On particularly hot days, it is necessary to lay pine mulch at the base of the stem.
As weeds grow near the perennial, it is recommended to remove them regularly. At the same time, deep loosening is contraindicated for lilies, since it can damage the baby bulbs growing at its base.
It is recommended to feed the hybrid three times per season. For this you can use mineral fertilizers. In the spring, when sprouts appear, you need to add nitroammophoska at the rate of 20 g per plant, and during the formation of buds and after flowering, water with potassium monophosphate at the rate of 7 g per 10 liters of water.
After the buds wither, it is recommended to cut off only the top of the stem. The rest of it should remain until complete natural drying, as it nourishes the bulb. Lily OT-hybrid African Lady does not need insulation for the winter. It is enough just to cut off the peduncle at its base in late autumn and lightly sprinkle the soil above the bulb with a layer of coniferous litter 3-5 cm thick. If the perennial is planted in an area where a lot of snow accumulates in winter, then it should additionally be covered with a film and secured with spruce branches.
With a lack of nutrition, the size of the flowers of the hybrid decreases
Reproduction
As the perennial grows, children grow above the main bulb, which can be used for its propagation. In this case, it is necessary to dig up the African Lady lily in April-May, when sprouts appear after winter. Then you need to carefully separate the daughter bulbs from the underground stem and immediately plant them in a row at a distance of 10 cm.
They need to be grown for several years, and only after they reach a diameter of 8-10 cm should they be transplanted to a permanent place. Children begin to bloom when the bulbs have accumulated a sufficient amount of nutrients.
Photos in landscape design
The African Lady Lily can enliven any landscape design. However, when placing it on the site, you need to take into account the height of the plant so that it can look organic with nearby crops.
Several lilies planted side by side look like a beautiful bouquet.
The hybrid looks impressive against the backdrop of a rocky hedge.
The perennial goes well with other long-flowered species
Conclusion
Lily African Lady is rightfully considered one of the best hybrids that are suitable for regions with temperate climates. In the northern regions, it is better to grow it as a potted crop with further wintering in the basement, despite its high frost resistance. In the southern regions, the hybrid may suffer from a lack of moisture, which will not allow it to show maximum decorativeness.
Reviews of the African Lady lily
