Evening star., 1938-08-13
TheMadonna
Lilies EasY
Grow
Protection From
Afternoon Sun
Is Beneficial.

THE Madonna or Annunciation lily
q. candidum), one Of the older
and better known lilies, Is worthy OF
wider planting. 1t Is, however, quite
susceptible to botrytis blight, and with
out proper bed preparation is not long
lasting. 1t Is such a beautiful flower
that the extra work Of properly pre-
pairing a suitable bed for it should be
readily undertaken. Disease-free bulbs
in a well-prepared bed last many years.
1t Is an interesting point that Ma
donna lilies and delphiniums make a
charming combination for planting
Furthermore, they seem to thrive under
essentially the same cultural condi-
tions
August is the month for buying ard
planting or transplanting Madonna
lilies. Early in September they start
q fall growth Of leaves which persist
over winter. 1t is not safe to disturb
them after the leaves appear.
Bulbs are available from a number
Of sources. OF the imported bulbs
those from Northern France are
usually highly recommended. but II
they can be obtained from some local
grower and are disease free, the home
gardener will get better results. Lily
bulbs deteriorate rapidly unless handled
carefully, so freshly dug bulbs are very
much to be desired.
Generally full sun is recommended
for the Madonna, but in this area
some protection from the afternoon
sun is beneficial There are many
thrifty looking beds in full sun and
In partial shade in this area. Morning
sun and good air circulation will, under
most conditions. give good results.
Lilies as q class enjoy cool. moist
root-run which can best be provided
by working the soil deeply and in
cooperating considerable quantities OF
leaf-mold or well-rotted compost. In
the bottom of the bed, several inches
below the level of the bulbs. mix a
considerable quantity Of leaf-mold
very well-rotted COW manure. and bone
meal with top soil. This will increase
the moisture-holding capacity OF the
soil and provide food for the lilies
for several years. For the top layer
of soil use a mixture of leaf-mold.
or compost, and top soil. Woods earth
mixed with leaf-mold is satisfactory II
it can be obtained.
The Madonna lily is particular, as
most lilies are, and requires perfect
drainage for health and vigor. II
there is any question as to the ade-
ouacy Of the drainage it Is best to
add sand to the soil mixture, and to
raise the level of the beds several
inches. Water-logged soils are condu-
Give to disease and 1t will well repay
the gardener to 60 to considerable
lengths to insure proper drainage and
thus to insure healthy, vigorous
plants. Soil drainage is so important
In this area that it deserves more con-
sideration than the mere planting OF
the bulb on sand and then covering
with it. This practice-covering the
bulb with sands desirable since 1t
oftentimes prevents soil organisms
from coming in contact with the bulb.
But water will stand in such a pocket
unless the soil Is open enough to
permit passage Of excess moisture.
Bubble in the bottom Of the bed facili-
tates drainage. providing the soil be-
meath is not tight, impervious, water
holding clay.
Since this lily has roots only at
the base of the bulb 1t should be
planted rather shallowly. Five inches
Ito the bottom of the hole) is the
usual depth Of planting. A handful
Of sand below the bulb and another
on top of it is q widely recommended
garden practice. Before starting the
planting carefully examine the bulbs
for signs Of disease. Discard those
showing infection and disinfect the
others. busting with sulphur, or soak
ing for an hour in formalin solu-
ton Zone part of 40 per cent COM
mercial formaldehyde to three parts
OF water) are two methods Of disin-
fecting lily bulbs.
The bulbs make an early fall root
growth and leaves usually appear in
early September. These leaves are
in no wise injured by cold weather.
TIL bulb and roots, however, are bene-
flied by mulching to prevent heaving.
The mulch should be applied around
and under the leaves-not over them.
Bulbs in raised beds seem to benefit
materially by thorough mulching, both
in winter and in summer.
As mentioned above, the glistenine
white Madonna lily when planted In
front Of blue delphiniums makes a
striking picture. Even when planted
alone they are attractive. Regardless
Of the combination with other flowers
at least six bulbs should be grouped
together-a dozen make a splendid
showing. Their delightful fragrance
especially in the evening, adds much
to the garden.
The above may sound as though
Madonna lilies are . lot Of bother for
the home gardener. Such is not the
case. The emphasis has been placed
on bed preparation, the lack of which
has been the contributing cause Of %
many failures. II the Madonna is to
be planted it is well worth planting
properly. Disease free bulbs carefully
planted will last for great many
years. The best bulbs planted In
. soggy sodl win seldom last more