Skip navigation.

Graham Rice's New Plants Blog

Graham Rice Garden writer and plantsman Northamptonshire and Pennsylvania

Editor-in-Chief of the RHS Encyclopedia of Perennials; writer for a wide range of newspapers and magazines including The Garden and The Plantsman; member of the RHS Herbaceous Plant Committee and Floral Trials Committee; author of many books on plants and gardens.

  • Date Joined: 18 Oct 2006

Lily ‘Candy Floss’ – New at Chelsea ‘09

Posted by Graham Rice on 14 May 2009 at 02:18 PM

Lily 'Candy Floss'. Image: ©H. W. Hyde and SonThe lilies from H. W. Hyde and Son are always a spectacle. At the Harrogate Spring Show they won a Gold Medal this year and Best in Show last year plus a Gold Medal at last year's Chelsea Flower Show.

This year they have one very special lily on show, a new double flowered Oriental Hybrid that's cut above other recent doubles.

"Up until now all double Orientals have been 'Miss Lucy' types," Richard Hyde told me. "These are hard to grow, have poor weak foliage and the flowers tend to burn in sunlight. Plus, if that isn't enough, the bulbs are very susceptible to rotting.

"Often at shows visitors ask what they're doing wrong. They tend to go away much happier when we explain that even we find them very difficult to grow.

"'Candy Floss' is from a totally different breeding line. It produces big healthy bulbs, very healthy foliage and extremely strong stems with up to fifteen flowers on each.

"On our display we hope to have plants of both, side by side, you will be amazed at the difference!"

Well, need I say more?! Be sure to see ‘Candy Floss' on the H. W. Hyde and Son stand in the Great Pavilion (G21) where you can order bulbs, look out for it in the BBC TV coverage or you can order online.

 

Comments

No comments have been left