Garden trends sometimes push perfectly good plants out of fashion. The martagon lily is a case in point; the wildflower-like blossoms of the martagon lily are no match for the fist-sized flowers of Asiatic lilies. Yet martagon lilies have a lot to offer Mid-Atlantic gardeners, and they are one of my favorite sights in the Winterthur Garden. The martagon lily, Lilium martagon, is shade tolerant and seemingly deer resistant. It has been grown for centuries and is of European origin. There are selections of the martagon lily that offer white, purple, yellow, and orange flowers. The foliage of martagons is attractive, with whorls of leaves arranged around a central stalk.
Our martagon lilies are in full flower here at Winterthur; take a stroll along the southern edge of Azalea Woods to see hundreds of lilies in flower and to get a sense of their range in color and habit for yourself. Several years ago the New York Times highlighted the virtues of the unsung martagon lily. With any luck it will become one of those plants that comes back into fashion.
Lovely. Thank you for the useful information on a delightful flower.