Matisse Oriental Lilium 'Robert Swanson'

The tall stems of Lily ‘Robert Swanson’ are lavished in wine red and white blooms. Each flower is up to 17cm across with deeply recurved petals. The nectaries are pale green and pronounced. Up to 12 flowers open on a single stem. It can get quite tall so should be planted in a protected position or you may have to stake.

Lily ‘Robert Swanson’ is an O.T. hybrid, which means it is a cross between an Oriental and a Christmas or Triumph Lily. So you get the best of both worlds, trumpet shaped blooms with good fragrance.

It is easy to create an indulgent display of colour with O.T. Liliums. They are gorgeous in the garden and perfect for cut flowers too. Their heady fragrance permeates the summer garden with its sophisticated notes.

As well as adding glamour and fragrance to the garden, O.T. Lilies are also tough, and able to withstand our hot summers. They are best planted in a permanent position where, as they establish will become more floriferous.

It is a good idea to fertilise your O.T. Lilies, they are hungry bulbs and this will help to give you the best blooms. Adding an organic fertiliser when you first see growth, then again as they are fading is ideal. If you are growing your Lilies in pots, fertiliser is even more important and in this case a slow release pellet such as Thrive or a regular application of liquid fertiliser is best. Water to establish, and keep moist in active growth for best results.

In warmer climates, it is a good idea to grow your O.T. Liliums in part shade or morning sun, so your flowers will last longer.