The Hollandicums as a generic group were given an Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society in 1931. This spoke highly of their value as upright flowering asiatics. When the mid-century Hybrids from Jan de Graff were introduced, however, the Hollandicums quickly lost their popularity.

Although it may no longer be possible to purchase any of these cultivars by name, it does not mean some of these do not exist. Many gardeners (especially those who aren't familiar with modem lilies) have likely perpetuated some of these lilies. Alyssa's Garden is one nursery that has acquired four different ones from BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan gardens, some of which are thought to be over 80 years old.

There are also reports of new hollandicums. Two which are listed in Michael Homick's compendium of lilies (1991) are Hadeco-Matador (1980), red, and Hadeco-Matador (1980), orange. These lilies may not be available in North America - the parent company (Hadeco) is a Dutch company, which set up in South Africa. Some of their Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) originations are currently available in Canada.

Lilium X maculatum Thunberg 1794

(Lilium elegans Thunberg) - THUNBERG'S LILY

(Lilium aurantiacum Paxt, not Weston)

(Lilium Thunbergianum Schult & Schult.f)

Thunberg was a Swedish doctor and botanist who lived from 1743 to 1828. He was a student of Linnaeus and succeeded him at the University of Uppsala. Sponsored by the Dutch East India Company, he visited Japan in 1775, although he was mostly restricted to a small island called Deshima, which is near Nagasaki. As a doctor and surgeon, he traded Japanese officers and interpreters medical knowledge in return for plant samples. He sent live plants back to Holland, and when he returned to Sweden in 1779, he began classifying and describing his plants, including eight lilies from Japan.

This is a group of lilies originally developed in Japan, and later imported by Holland for a hundred years or more. Some have been known since 1830. The famous botanist, von Siebold, introduced at least three cultivars to Europe about that time (in addition to the Easter Iily and the Speciosum lily). The plants are dwarf, usually 2' or less, and flowers appear in late June or early July, are cup shaped and upright facing, in clusters. They are highly adaptable to a wide rang of growing conditions. Many have become badly diseased. This group was apparently used in development of the Lilium X hollandicum hybrids, already listed. It was used by Dr. D.F. Patterson, University of Saskatchewan, in the beginning of his Iily hybridization program (Apricot Glow is reportedly 1/2 L. Xmaculatum) as well as by Isabella Preston of Ottawa, who developed the Stenographer series, and to some extent by Dr. Skinner as well (who named The Duchess, Margaret Johnson and Helen Carroll). Other Canadian breeders such as Palmer, Byam and Taylor also thought this group was worthwhile for hybridization. The origin of the X maculatum hybrids (so named in 1794) has been speculated to be L. dauricum x L. wilsonii, although at one time L. concolor was thought to be the second parent. In actuality, some botanists now believe that L. wilsonii is merely a late blooming form of Lilium maculatum, and that L. dauricum was not involved, meaning that L. maculatum is a naturally occurring species in Japan, and not a hybrid (L. x maculalum). Perhaps there are also hybrids with L. dauricum that were developed in Japan. Whatever their proper name, cultivars may have been sold in Saskatchewan as L. dauricum, as there is a close resemblance. As with the Hollandicums, both L dauricum and Thunberg's lily were recommended in Saskatchewan by 1930. Whether any of these cultivars still exist is unknown, but 'Mahogany' seems to be one of the most persistent in the 20th Century. Harrison's Garden Centre, Carnduff, SK, listed an unidentified L. elegans as recently as 2000 (the nursery was scheduled to be sold or closed this year). I should note that in the headings above I have followed the names used in "Hortus Third", published 1976, but Earl McRae's new book gives preference to Lilium elegans for this group.

The species as a group has been described as growing 1-1.5' (lower than the Hollandicum Hybrids), with smooth or slightly furrowed stems which are slightly pubescent, with flowers of 1-4 per cluster, 4-6" in diameter (usually closer to 6"), orange-red, slightly spotted purplish black, with red anthers. Leaves are 2-4" long, 1/4- 1/2" wide and numbering 20-40. Many of the early cultivars were given Latin cultivar names; a practice no longer permitted.

CULTIVARS:

Alice Wilson - very large blooms, with slender, claw-like petals, pale yellow, lightly flecked black (dark red). The original was lost to cultivation and many others have been sold under this name, especially ones with orange-yellow color. May have originated in Holland, but it was named for the daughter of the original owner of Wisley Gardens in England, and was known by 1877. It was very popular in the 1880's. DeGraaff in Oregon reported that he used this cultivar in the development of some of his Mid Century Hybrids, including Enchantment, Harmony, Cinnabar and Joan Evans.

Alternans - similar to Fulgens, (see below), with flowers suffused or flaked yellow.

Alutaceum - solitary flowers, deep apricot to apricot-yellow, with crimson towards the tips of the petals, spotted with purple, 6-9". Also called 'Kikak'. This form was known to Skinner and distributed by him in the 1930's. It was known in England by 1872. An improved form, Alutaceum Grandiflorum was known by 1900, having larger and brighter flowers.

Armeniacum - later blooming, unspotted flowers are bright orange scarlet, smooth inside, and with twisted leaves. Also called Venustuin by Kunth, but seems to be a different color than that of Siebold's 'Venustum', listed below. Known by 1872.

Atropurpureum - flower crimson-red, spotted with black. Not acknowledged by RHS.

Atrorubum - very deep crimson. Listed in the Yokohama nursery catalogue of K. Wada, 1936.

Atrosanguineum - flowers very dark red, with a crimson center, spotted with black on lower half, broad segments, papillae and lamellae numerous and only slightly raised. Slightly later than others. Rather narrow petals according to one author. Height 2' (some say 1- 1. 5'). Grown at the Experimental Farm, Indian Head, in 1891 and by Isabella Preston in Ottawa in 1925. This was one of von Siebold's imports to Holland in 1830. One author says the flowers are solitary. Listed in a garden encyclopedia of 1964. Another, called Atrosanguineum Maculatum was known by 1852 (another Siebold introduction), and was apparently paler red, with yellow veining, and with broader leaves.

Aurantiacum - unspotted salmon, deep orange-red and orange-yellow are cited descriptions, but RHS says unspotted deep orange-red. Known by 1839.

Aureum - flowers light orange-yellow, strongly spotted with black. Petals broad, and opening widely. Height 1-1.5'. Grown at the Experimental Farm, Indian Head, in 189 1. Distributed by Steele Briggs Seeds on the Prairies (listed in 1929 catalogue). Also called 'Marmoratum Aureum'. Known by 1879 in England.

Batemanniae - flowers pale orange-red or apricot, sometimes tinged pink, unspotted, segments smooth or nearly so inside, little or no clawing at base, slender, pointed petals, in clusters of I to 12, each one 3-5" in diameter, late flowering, stems to 3.5'and smooth, leaves 2-5" long, 1/4-3/4" wide. Susceptible to mosaic. Sometimes listed as a form of L. dauricum. Authors have considered 'Batemanniae' to be a later blooming, improved form. Japanese research has suggested that this is actually an interspecific hybrid. It was well known in Japan in the 19th century, and much admired. It was named for Maria Sybilla Bateman, a lily enthusiast of the late 1900's in London. In 1935 it was given an Award of Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society, well after its introduction (at least by 1891), but by 1956 it was considered lost to virus disease.

Beni-no-tsukasa - crimson, unspotted. Unregistered Japanese cultivar.

Bicolor - segments red, marked with central orange stripe. Another author describes it as yellow, edged and tipped bright red, spotted purplish-black, broader perianth, 2-4 flowers per cluster, and narrower leaves. Also called Pictum. RHS says spots are few and faint, and gives the height as about 12". Flowers opened widely. Known by 1870.

Biligulatum - early flowering, flower deep chestnut-red, spotted. Deeper colored than Sanguineum, but similar. Also called Lateritum. Neither name is recognized by RHS.

Brevifolium - shorter leaves, earlier blooming, solitary flowers are pale orange--red, spotted purplish black and flaked yellow at the base. Flowers are more cupped than many, but with broad petals. Height 12" or less. Known by 1872.

Citrinum - pale orange to citron yellow, in clusters of 2-3, stronger grower, 2-2.5', later blooming. Known by 1872.

Crimson King - velvet crimson, spotted black at base, late blooming. Found in a Japanese garden by K. Wada, introduced by 1937.

Darkest of All - deep red, with a suggestion of purple. Poor constitution, stock infected with mosaic by the 1940's. Listed by Kline, of Oregon, in the 1930's.

Decorum - apricot, suffused orange, dwarf, 2-3 flowers. Listed by Constable (U.K.) in 1936-1937.

Diadem - known by 1929, it is considered a synonym for Leonard Joerg. Bright crimson according to one reference but RHS says it is rich apricot rose, with a central yellow streak, late blooming, 2'.

Double Apricot - deep apricot orange, 16 petals. Introduced by K. Wada, of Yokohama, in 1936.

Double Queen - a double form of Orange Queen, listed by K. Wada in 1936.

Double Scarlet - scarlet (rosy pink), with paler pink petaloids edged in white. 9" tall. Known by 1946. Perhaps could be identical to Flore Pleno.

E.A. Bowles - orange, spotted maroon. Raised in Japan and introduced to Britain by Amos Perry in 1912.

Early Dazzler - rich dazzling red, according to the Constable (U.K.) catalogue of 1936.

Ezonishiki - a Japanese cultivar, crimson red, strongly spotted. The buds and stems are hairy. Known by 1960.

Fekinata - Japanese origin, known by 1871. Description lost.

Flore Pleno - red, spotted black, semi-double, with stamens being petaloid. Petals narrower than in some forms, opening widely. Known by 1862.

Fulgens - clusters of 4-6 deep orange-red (crimson), very slightly spotted to unspotted, narrower leaves, height about 12", bearing 4-6 flowers. Named by the botanist Morren in the 19th Century. It was described in Brussels in 1845. Some authors say this is the same as 'Atrosanguineum'. A German plant breeder of the 1920's described one of his related seedlings as "as ugly as L. Thunbergianum var.fulgens"! Other authors list this as a collective name which includes many of the other cultivars here, with three main divisions: long-narrow petalled, broad, wide-open petalled, and cupped, broad petalled.

Helen Carroll (Skinner, 1951) - unspotted yellow flowers, 6" wide, on 6" stems. Bred from a spotted yellow form of L. elegans (maculatum/wilsonii). 'Honey Bear' is a descendent of this lily.

Hematochroum (Lemoine, unknown date) - deep blood red, thickly spotted purplish-black, broad petalled. Identical to Horsmannii.

Incomparabile - described as rich crimson, but not so distinguished, as the name would indicate. Another reference says dark red, and not surpassed for flower size (1978). A photo in the RHS lily yearbook of 1933 shows that some of the flowers in the cluster are nearly outfacing. Some authors place this with L. X hollandicum; the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, 1935 treated it as a cultivar of L. dauricum, as did the Royal Horticultural Society. Grown at the Experimental Farm, Indian Head, in 1891, it was grown elsewhere by 1877. It was still in existence in the USA in 1955, where it was reported to grow to a height of 15", but some authors give a height of 2'.

Kinbusen - rich orange, centre shaded yellow, tips flushed crimson. Listed in Constable catalogue of 1937.

Leonard Joerg - orange-yellow (apricot), spotted with brown. Of well known forms. It was considered to be the closest to a true yellow by one author, but this doesn't agree with the RHS checklist, describing it as rich apricot rose. A tall grower, reaching 4.5-5', and bearing many blooms.

Mahogany - dwarf, deep brownish-red, broad petalled - Isabella Preston described it as deepest of all, with a height of 2.5'. Grown by Percy Wright of Moose Range, SK in the 1940's. Sometimes listed as a form of L. X hollandicum, where perhaps it belongs. Dutch origin - K. Zaadnoordijk, about 1925. Messrs. R. Wallace and Co. obtained an Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society for it in 1931 and described it as "deep glowing crimson-lake, deepening to a rich mahogany-crimson as the flowers pass over". Dr. Skinner used this in breeding 'Scottiae', a parent of 'Red Carpet'. The latter has been an important cultivar in the development of dwarf pot lilies, in particular the Pixie Series. De Graaff also used this to develop other famous lilies such as Tabasco and Paprika 1958 introductions).

Marmoratum - earlier, rich crimson, flaked and tipped orange yellow, slightly spotted, flowers in clusters of 24. Petals broad, and opening widely. This cultivar is not acknowledged in the RHS checklists. Known in England by 1879.

Marmoratum Aureum - orange-yellow, edged, flaked and tipped crimson and more thickly spotted purple-black, height 1.5'. Also called Robustum. Same as 'Aureum' above.

Mawi - orange flowers flaked crimson and spotted purplish-black. Not in RHS checklist.

Nigromaculatum (syn. Aureum N.) - apricot, with numerous small black dots. Known by 1865.

Ogon - golden yellow, large flowers. Presumably from Japan, known by 1939.

Orange Hirtellus - pure orange, spotted dark mahogany. Of unknown origin, but imported to Oregon in the 1930's.

Orange Princess (Skinner, 1955) - clear unspotted apricot orange, 6" flowers, stems 9-12". A sister seedling of 'Helen Carroll'. The RHS checklist gives a date of 1948, and says it was raised in Japan, but this is likely an error as Skinner indicated in his book "Horticultural Horizons" that it was the pollen parent which he obtained from Japan. It seems odd, however that RHS does not give the same parentage for Helen Caroll (pure maculatum) as for this cultivar ("xhollandicum x xmaculatum)

Orange Queen - one to three bright orange to orange-yellow flowers, larger and with broader segments. Perhaps still in commerce in the mid 20th Century. It received an Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1900, and may have been introduced by Wallace.

Ornatum - apricot, suffused bronze, profusely spotted, 4-5 flowers per stem. Listed in the Constable (U.K.) catalogue of 1936-1937.

Peter Barr - apricot, stained brownish-orange. Named for a famous English nurseryman who imported many kinds of plants. Introduced about 1903, when it won an Award of Merit.

Prince of Orange - dwarfer (8-12"), earlier, soft buff, spotted purplish-black, somewhat narrow petals. Another reference describes it as brilliant orange, shaded apricot, while the RHS checklist describes it as apricot. May have been in commerce well into the 20'h Century - still being mentioned in books in 1935. Documented in Britain by 1879.

Princess - wide-open flowers of rich apricot, 9" tall. Known by 1938.

Purple Queen - purplish-crimson, reported to bloom in August, this is an American introduction by 1942.

Red Emperor - description undocumented, mentioned in the RHS lily yearbook of 1938.

Red Improved - terra-cotta red, spotted dark mahogany. Imported from Japan by E.L. Kline of Oregon in the early 1930's.

Sanguineum - flower blood red, (deep red) slightly tinged orange, spotted purple-black, earlier flowering, 9". RHS checklist gives a height up to 16" and states it only had one flower. They must have had low standards in those days (1846).

Splendens - larger, stronger, often 2.5-3', broader, paler leaves, stout stemmed, earlier blooming, rich apricot yellow, spotted purple, deeply cupped. Earliest of the cupped form type (which includes Lilium wilsonii and Brevifolium). RHS does not acknowledge this name - it is also the cultivar name of perhaps the most common form of the tiger lily. Known in England by 1879.

Staminosum - described in "Lilies of the World' by Woodcock and Steam in 1952. A synonym is Fulgens Semi-Plena. Semi-double red. Known by 1864.

Van Houttei - deep crimson scarlet with a yellow blotch near the center of each segment (and sometimes at tips), broad petalled. Likely an introduction of the Van Houtte nursery in Ghent, Belgium; it was known in England by 1879.

Var. flavum Comber 1939 - dark gold with a gold midrib. 'Yellow Blaze' is a descendent of it, along with cultivars with a golden blush such as 'Connecticut King' and 'Sunray'. In the past this has been considered a form of L. wilsonii, which is how the RHS checklist acknowledges it.

Venustum - clear apricot, no spots. Obtained by von Siebold from Japan in 1830. See also 'Batemanniana'. Reported to have a creeping stem-base, suggesting it may have L. dauricum genes. The name translates as "lovely, charming or agreeable, qualities of Venus".

Wallacei - flowers erect, pale orange-red or apricot, spotted with slightly raised brown or maroon spots at base inside, I to 10 flowers per cluster, 4-5" flowers, smooth inside, segments only slightly or not at all clawed at the base. Formerly listed as L. wallacei or L. dauricum cultivar, it was named for Alexander Wallace of Colchester, England. Of Japanese origin, Wallace & Co. introduced it to England in 1878; it received a First Class Certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1883. Stock became badly infected with mosaic, which reduced bulb size and prevented flowering, so it is unlikely in existence today. Skinner described it as intermediate between the tiger Iily and the Thunberg Iily, 18-20" tall, and blooming late, in September. In Britain, heights of 24-30" were recorded. Another lily with creeping stem bases.

L. wilsonii Leichtlin. - placed here as a cultivar or cultivar group since it is now thought to be a late blooming form of the species L. maculatum. It likely exists in numerous clones, particularly as it is often grown from seed. Generally described as dark apricot with a golden yellow midrib, spotted deep purple, growing 2-3', with somewhat shorter leaves than other maculatums. Has also been called var. padinum in the past.

Yellow Purity - bright orange-yellow. Listed in the Constable catalogue of 1937.

Standardized Plant Names' (1942) also lists these cultivars (without description): Pictum Grandiflorum, Thunberg Atrosanguineum Rubrotinctum, and Thumberg Orangeglow.

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