Lilium nanum from Bhutan (IX)

About

Lilium nanum from Bhutan is a tiny, bulbous lily from the Himalayas and one of the smallest species in the genus Lilium. It grows as a short perennial herb, typically 8–42 cm tall, from oblong-ovate bulbs. The plant bears a thin, hairless green stem with 8–14 spirally arranged leaves and produces flowers in the summer. Flowering occurs from June to August.

About the genus

Lilium is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants growing from bulbs, all with large and often prominent flowers. Lilies are a group of flowering plants which are important in culture and literature in much of the world. Most species are native to the Northern Hemisphere and their range is temperate climates and extends into the subtropics.

Wikipedia contributors, "Lilium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Lilium

In the garden

Lilium nanum from Bhutan is a diminutive Himalayan lily, recorded in the mid-19th century and described in 1860. Plants arise from small oblong-ovate bulbs and send up a single, slender stem clothed with narrow, overlapping leaves arranged in a spiral; mature plants remain well below 50 cm. The bulb scales are white and closely imbricate, a useful identification feature when handling or dividing bulbs. Cultivation calls for careful handling rather than heavy interventions: bulbs measure only a few centimetres, so plant and lift with care. Provide a sharply drained position to prevent the small bulbs from sitting in moisture and choose a spot where the stem can remain erect and unbruised. Flowering season in the UK runs June to August, when the short stems bear their summer blooms. Because of its size and origin, Lilium nanum from Bhutan suits rockery pockets, gravel troughs or containers where drainage and soil texture can be controlled and the plant’s compact habit can be appreciated at close range. Take care with the overlapping white bulb scales when lifting or inspecting bulbs, as they are thin and tear easily.

More in the Lilium genus

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