46 THE BOOK OF THE LILY 



The variety rubescens, by some regarded as a distinct 

 species (L. rubescens), is by the Kew authorities ranked 

 only as a variety of L. Washingtonianum, and this view is 

 upheld by most Lily growers. 



It has a smaller, more compact, and more oval bulb 

 than the type. Its growth is more slender, the leaves 

 narrowed. The flowers are smaller, with narrower tube, 

 and the petals are recurved. When first opened the 

 flowers are white, but change to a rosy pink. 



The culture of the Washington Lily, and its forms, is, 

 unfortunately, difficult in this country, where the climate 

 is so different from that of its native country. Some 

 succeed well with it by planting it deep in a well-drained 

 soil of peat leaf mould and loamy grit. As it is a wood 

 Lily it must have shade or partial shade, as it fails or grows 

 weakly in full exposure. The variety rubescens seems to 

 be cultivated more successfully in America, but here there 

 is not much difference between it and the type in regard 

 to its behaviour under culture. It is so beautiful that it is 

 worthy of trouble and attention. It appears to thrive 

 best in the moist parts of the country, as it loves per- 

 petual dampness at the root, especially in active growth. 

 It flowers in June, and continues for some time. 



L. yunnanense, one of the most recently introduced 

 species, from Yunnan in China, is in cultivation at 

 Kew. It is a slender growing plant, with narrow 

 leaves on stems, from one to two feet high. The 

 flowers are from one to three, small, drooping, pink 

 and unspotted. Baker regards it as an ally of L. 

 oxypetalum, which is now classed as a species of Fritillaria. 

 At Kew it grows in the open in peaty soil. 



