Lily (Lilium auratum var. platyphyllum) in the Lilies Database

I love this lily and it is my favorite of the ones I've grown over the years!

I had wanted this particular variety, which I knew as Gold Band, for many years because it is very beautiful. More than a decade ago I had ordered several bulbs of this variety from a company that sold lilies, as well as other perennials and bulbs, but they didn't bloom as the correct variety, to my disappointment. I'd had a lot of disappointments of lilies not sprouting over the years, so I didn't plant any more after that. I think it was because the critters found the bulbs and ate them or because of the soil conditions I gave them.

One day in 2013, I saw a pic on ATP of Lilium auratum var. platyphyllum that @chelle had posted and I was in love. I just had to have these beauties growing and blooming in my yard. I ordered three bulbs from Old House Gardens - Heirloom Bulbs the fall of 2013, and I was beyond ecstatic the spring of 2014, as I finally got the beautiful blooms in my garden! This year, they're even better, larger and taller. I'm pretty sure that an additional stem sprouted up!

When I planted them, I amended the soil to their liking and added crushed oyster shells to the planting hole to deter the critters from getting these treasures.

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This is an enormous bloom with a unique combination of characteristics. First, its size is almost 10 inches across. Although outward facing, their weight seems to make them want to bow to a downward position. The colors are very appealing, with golden yellow bands flowing down each petal and sepal center. The burgundy freckles complete the picture.

As much as I've tried to grow this cultivar over the years, it simply does not survive more than a couple of years. We have loads of differing lilies which thrive here. This leads me to believe our USDA Zone 5a/b might be the problem, or possibly our soil pH.

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