Description
The crown imperial is a bulbous perennial of the lily family (Liliaceae). In the wild it grows in the Himalayas and Iran. It is popular in home gardens and is increasingly used as a cut flower.
The crown imperial is a fairly tall plant, growing up to 70–80 cm. Its flowers look especially magnificent – they are very large in relation to the whole plant and bell-shaped. The petals are orange, but there are also yellow and red varieties. The flowers are set at the top of a thick stem in groups of 5–10. Leaves grow on the lower half of the stem and also stick up splendidly at the very top of the plant, above the flowers.
Requirements
The plant needs very fertile, deeply cultivated, not too heavy, free-draining, moist, nutrient-rich soil with a neutral pH. It grows best in a sunny or only lightly shaded position. It is sensitive to spring frosts.
Propagation
It is propagated by offset bulbs, separated from the mother bulbs every 3–4 years in July, stored in moist peat and then planted in their final position in September.
Care
It is planted in groups in borders, usually with early-flowering perennials, and in rock gardens. Plant the bulbs as early as the beginning of September, as they must root well before winter – otherwise no shoots will appear in spring. Plant the bulbs 15–20 cm deep and 25–35 cm apart. It is a good idea to put a layer of gravel under the bulbs for drainage. Water after planting. Lift the bulbs from the end of June to mid-July. After cleaning, store them in an airy room at 20°C, covered with sand or sawdust to stop them drying out. Handle them very carefully, as crown imperial bulbs are very easily damaged. Plants watered and fed with organic fertilisers during the growing season can grow in one place for a dozen years or more without being moved.