Gloriosa superba
A very spectacular lily producing big flowers that cannot be confused with anything else! It is a strong climber (using tendrils on the ends of the leaves, as can be seen in the photo) and may grow 3 m or more. So, it must be in the sun, or it will just keep climbing. Unfortunately, the stems are very brittle and easily broken by the wind (and if the stem breaks, the plant will not recover that year), so either you stake it (and make sure it is firmly fastened to the stake), or else recently I have been planting it among bushes, so that it climbs up through the bush, which thus protects it. It will produce 3 or 4 long-lasting flowers on each stem.
In the summer, it will die down. I dig up the big long tubers and store them in the fridge. The number of tubers increases rapidly each year! Plant the tubers in October in a fairly rich soil. It is best to plant them quite deep e.g. 20 cm.
In the summer, it will die down. I dig up the big long tubers and store them in the fridge. The number of tubers increases rapidly each year! Plant the tubers in October in a fairly rich soil. It is best to plant them quite deep e.g. 20 cm.