I recently saw a picture of this Asiatic somewhere...maybe on facebook. I'm not sure. But I'm wondering if anyone has any that they would sell, trade or other barter method, or know of a source. I'd like to grow it.

Silverlake, I think you are referring to the 'Corsage' that Brian Bergman posted about 3 weeks ago on Facebook. The background he gave was he had bought an OBF/Milridge original back in the early 1970's and then obtained another bulb sometime around the early 1990's; this time as best he recalls, it may have come from Don Egger, Chief Hybridizer and Manager of Cebeco, USA. He seemed to think that there may have been a 'Corsage, type II'. and was looking for more information. Don Egger died in 2000 and Cebeco went out of business in the mid 1990's. A couple of us who have a lot of historical stuff have been looking through some old printed material for more information but nothing yet, but not done looking yet either. The photo of Brian Bergman's 'Corsage' is more of a pink-lavender that the original pink developed and registered by OBF back in the 1960's, so it could well be that Don Egger did some more work with it--but we may never find out for sure, because Don Egger was very private and secretive about his work. So if you like the 'Corsage' in the picture, you can contact Brian Bergman and ask about getting a start. If you need his contact info, advise me by Tree Mail and I'll help. If you like the overall appearance and plant type of 'Corsage' you may also like others within a rather large Group called Harlequins which 'Corsage' was selected from. A very colorful Group.

Is this one L. 'Corsage'?










This one is a 'pixie' or 'tiny' kind of Lilium. I have just this one plant, but if it is the one you are looking for and it survived our draught, I might be able to send you a scale.

I don't think so, Ursula. The original Corsage as described in the Lily Register is pollenless and 1.2 m tall. There is no mention of yellow in the center either.

As I said before:

I feel so lucky (and happy) to have found ATP and the Lilium forum, with so many fully skilled and helpful Lily members!

Thank you Connie, TY Lisa, TY Rick, TY Lorn, TY Anthony and so many more for being there for us (the ones who want to learn)



PS.- Although namless so far, I still think my tiny Lily is beautiful

I think it is very pretty too!

A picture of 'Corsage' is on the lower left. It is from a somewhat older de Jong brochure meaning it most likely, like the original de Graaff/OBF 'Corsage' and not like any later version that Don Egger of Cebeco may have developed. The original was quite short.

For you history buffs of Jan de Graaff and the Oregon Bulb Farm: Klaus de Jong, in the Netherlands was growing about 2 acres lily bulb stock for the forcing trade, became an agent of OBF in the early 1960's. Because of this arrangement, he was able to grow and export to other European countries many of OBF derived bulbs and cultivars. At one time he had more than 1600 acres of OBF material under his control. In the early 1970's and after Milridge bought OBF, de Jong started a breeding program of his own and soon would establish joint ventures with at least two other lily bulb companies and would eventually go on to establish a world wide presence. Although Klaus de Jong has past away without family heirs, the company continues to be run by two of de Jong's prominent former managers.

Welcome to ATP, Silverlake115!

Lorn, to be honest, if I had the money to purchase just one bulb and were offered the Corsage in your picture and my little one, ...... I would chose mine! BTW, where do you learn about the history of Lily breeders? Have you thought about writing a book?

Ursula, I guess I'd have to say it was my admiration for Jan de Graaff and his work at the Oregon Bulb Farm that got me started with keeping old catalogs and other articles, documents and so on. I was an avid gardener while still in grade (elementary) school and during the time in the 1950's and 1960's when de Graaff was developing many new lilies. My father also grew lilies and we would get all the latest catalogs from de Graaff's exclusive marketing outlets like Inter-State Nurseries and Wayside gardens--which we bought from. We never threw anything away. When it got be too much of it in the house, my mother would start yelling and we'd just box it up and store it in the old wood shed for future reference. That's how it started. Of course, since then, I've collected many more boxes full. Over time, the people that knew I had a library of old stuff, would bring me things they thought I might be interested in when they came to visit, as well. I never know when something is going to come along. A couple weeks ago, I received some interesting articles from Mike Norberry, a regular on this forum, that contained a some information that is like a missing piece of a puzzle with the Star Gazer story--another strange twist. I couldn't tell it in my story of Two Men and a Lily because I couldn't verify it, but with Mike's information I can. It is something that Johan Mak had suspected all along.

No plans to write a book, here. Can't speak for Johan Mak, but I don't think so, either. You may see some feature articles on lily history by Johan Mak in upcoming NALS Quarterlies and Yearbooks, however.

Ursula could your lily be Tiny Bell ? It looks similar.

Lorn, you are right in your remembrance of where I saw it, and whatever that one is, I'd like to grow it. I often "lanscape" when I buy, but this would be a reproduction project for me. I'll tree mail you soon, then.
Thanks.

Ahhhhh, Lorn, what a pity you do not intend to write about all the Lily stories you know. Now that Amazon exists and has world wide distribution, I could have access to your book. I loved reading the compilation you wrote about Star Gazer, intrigued by each chapter and so sorry for the real people involved. You certainly made the events interesting but stuck to the real development of them.

What your Mom thought to be trash is a treasure in my conception. The only catalogues we have access to (and only for the last decade or so) are the ones from supermarkets, department stores and the equivalent to your Home Depot stores. Nothing interesting to collect. Nurseries just started with web pages a few years ago - I don't know of any nursery producing catalogues. Besides, we have no Lily growers/breeders, only the large plantations for cut flower (even for export) and two small scale importers for distribution at the HD equivalent stores, where the bulbs are mistreated before you can purchase them. Last year I bought just one bag with 5 oriental lily bulbs, only marked as 'intense pink'. Only 3 of the bulbs thrived: 2 gorgeously purple and one white. The white one had app. 5 flower at the stem and one of the purple ones had two flowers and the other just one. You see, it's a lottery to get good bulbs here.

The alternative is to buy them potted (very small pots) and in bloom, but I think those are even more mistreated than the bulb bags and even more expensive.

Hi Tracey!

You are right. I 'googled' for tiny bells and the pictures match my Lily. Thanks!

I'm trying to find out the names of my Liliums, for they are sold without names here. Not an easy task

I see the LILY COMPANY B.V. will have 'Corsage' available for Fall of 2016

Such a pretty lily. Not your usual up facing cut flower type. A real treasure.

I'll be looking to lily company to buy this fall. Thanks Lorn. You are ever so helpful, and I appreciate you.

Thanks buddy. For others who are interested in getting Corsage and may not have direct access to The Lily Company, Ramona at FARAWAY FLOWERS plans to offer them here in the States.

Lorn, you are gonna make me order more bulbs!

Ramona is a good source. I'll look in her listing. Thanks once more.

The first picture is Corsage grown in my garden. The second Picture is Corsage at the Botanical Garden in Minnesota. Corsage is now available commercially from Dutch stock.