23 
CALIFORNIAN LILIES 
In the number and beauty of its lilies, California ranks next to 
Japan. Our Humboldtiis are among the most stately of World’s Lilies. 
None excel our Washingtonianums in exquisite fragrance. Our Parda- 
linum is the best of all that the world produces in its adaptability to 
ordinary garden conditions. Our Parryii, with its deliciously scented 
lemon colored flowers, would be placed by a large majority of the 
world’s growers among two or three most lovely of all known species. 
My specialty is California Lilies and in My Terrace Gardens 
is the largest and most complete collection in the world. It is worth 
a long journey to be there when the thousands upon thousands of plants 
are at the height of their flowering season. 
California Lilies can well be divided into four sections according 
to their affinities, and into two groups as to their culture. 
CULTURAL 
GROUP 1 
The Lilies of the I-lumboldtii and Washingtonianum groups are 
natives of cool slopes in mountainous regions, where they grow in the 
forests or where protected by growth of shrubs. The soil is deep, per¬ 
fectly drained, composed of clay or a rich loam, mixed with leaf soil 
and the debris from broken down rocks. 
In cultivating these lilies we should take lessons from nature, first 
—as to the situation of the lily bed. 
They should be planted where they are protected from the cold 
winds, and the soil is not dried out by the direct heat of the sun. On 
large grounds the ideal location is a glade in woods, but the partial 
shade of deciduous irees, the shelter of rhododendrons or bamboos, or 
similar shrubs, or of tall growing perennial plants, may give conditions 
quite suited to their culture. A protected nook on the shady side of 
the house is best on small grounds, and ferns are congenial neighbors. 
r have had my very best success with this group of lilies on an 
open Northwesterly slope in a deep gravel soil well mixed with rotten 
lean es. Above the beds I carried water which percolated underneath 
t hem. 
These beds at two yeirs old were a sight never to be forgotten. 
Drainage. This must be perfect. If the ground is heavy and clam¬ 
my, underdrainage should be given, and the soil made lighter and looser 
by the addition of humus and porous materials. 
Soil. This should be a fairly good loam, mixed with humus and 
sand. New manures are always to he avoided with lilies. 
Planting. They should be planted so that the top of the bulbs 
is not less than four inches from the surface, about each bulb put a 
layer of an inch or so of sand, which will carry away excessive mois¬ 
ture and prevent fungus attacks. 
Watering. Lilies should not be kept water soaked, but should have 
