Growing Martagon Lily Guinea Gold

We haven’t had Martagon Lilies before, now we want them all over the garden, however we have run out of planting space.

This is the second season for our Martagon Lily Guinea gold. It was pretty good last year, this season it is spectacular.

Planted in the courtyard border, it has grown way taller than it should do. In fact, some of them are about five feet eight inches tall.

I haven’t been put off by the height, probably because the stems are extremely strong and having planted both groups in front of deciduous trees it has been easy to tie a piece of string around thee tree trunks and thereby pull back any which may flop forward.

A look at some other Lilies we had in our Cheshire garden

Profile for Martagon Lily Guinea Gold

Flowers

Flowering early to mid-Summer, this year with May being so cold the blooms did not open until early July.

The recurved spotted petals are a golden yellow bordering on orange.

The flowers of the Martagon Lily are not as large as those of the Orientals or Asiatics. However, those on Guinea Gold are a reasonable size and once established each stem can carry in excess of 30 blooms.

Height

Will generally grow to a height of about 4 ft/120 cm. Ideally, Martagons like the base of the plant to be in shade, with the flower heads in full sun. Our plants as I mentioned reached 5 ft 8 inches tall, this is because they are in a border that is probably that bit too shady.

Position

Plant your Martagon Lilies in full sun or partial shade. The bulbs are best planted deep, about five inches. Groups of three look good. Free draining soil is very important,  add a fair amount of horticultural grit to the soil, this will improve the drainage greatly.

Soil

Happy in. alkaline, acidic or neutral soil

Hardiness

Fully hardy in all areas of the UK

Can I grow Guinea Gold in a pot

Yes, if you use  John Innes No.3, plant deep in a fair size pot. I have to say, they are best in the ground. The only Lilies which I find do exceptionally well in posts are the dwarf Asiatics or dwarf Orientals.

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Our back garden in mid-July

Changes made to the back garden in April, I am pleased with the results now showing in July. It should look even better when the climbing roses cover the fence.

However, I have to ensure that rose branches do not go through the trellis. A neighbour across the back sent me a letter detailing great concern that rose petals and leaves may fall on to her washing. (Anything for a quiet life, I guess !!!!.)