L. CANDIDUM “CASCADE STRAIN” 
For over three thousand years the Madonna Lily has resisted 
change, and until now the bulbs blooming throughout the gardens 
of the world have been essentially one and the same as those flower- 
ing in the Holy Land at the time of Christ. Variously reported as 
being native to southern France, Corsica, the Balkans, Persia, Pales- 
tine and Greece, it is now thought to have been carried to these loca- 
tions by invading armies for medicinal use in the curing of wounds. 
The original habitat remains a mystery. 
The achievement of seed-bearing Madonna Lilies of surpassing 
vigor, resistant to botrytis, with larger flowers of greater substance 
and better form than the type is historic. In addition, petals are more 
broad, floral placement more graceful, stems taller and thicker and 
the foliage is handsome, abundant and dark green to the bottom of 
the stalk. Its inherent grace, purity, fragrance, its association with 
the great throughout the ages and now its enhanced glistening beauty 
through renewed vitality, its simple culture, make it the gardener’s, 
as well as the poet’s, delight. 
‘In an effort to obtain fertile, seed-bearing plants for large-scale 
selections and pollination, an extensive collection was made of all 
forms of the Madonna Lily available to the trade together with several 
unusual types obtained from a French priest. Eventually this uniform 
strain, which varies only slightly, was produced. 
Inasmuch as the bulbs are dormant for only a few weeks in August 
early planting is required, preferably not later than September ist 
to allow time for the necessary fall growth. A sunny situation in 
heavier soil than most Lilies like is preferred with the usual sharp 
drainage. Shallow planting—the top of the bulb should be no more 
than an inch below the soil surface—is a necessity. The larger bulbs. 
produce exhibition spikes the first year, and all increase rapidly by 
natural division forming a large clump which must be divided when 
crowding becomes apparent and re-set if large flowers are desired. 
June flowering. Height 3 to 5 feet. 
Medium size bulbs: 60c each; 6/$3.25; 12/86 
Top size bulbs: 80c each; 6/$4.50; 12/$8 
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