The Himalayan Lilies - Cardiocrinum giganteum
I was at New Zealand for a cycling expedition. One of the days, we were lodging at a farm, Peel Forest. The hostess, Jenny Dean, is a very good gardener. So while we were discussing about gardening, she brought us to her friend’s place to view the Himalayan Lilies, Cardiocrinum giganteum.
The fragrance of the Lilies welcomed us as we were entering the private woodland. What surprised us was the amazing height and size of the Himalayan Lilies as they abound under the tees. They grow up to approximately three metres in height. Hence, they were an awfully spectacular sight!
A Himalayan Lily takes seven years to mature or bloom. Its highly fragrant white trumpets are about 15 cm long. And they are borne in clusters on a stem of the lily. Being well protected from the wind, these lilies grow profusely in the moist woodland setting.
And you know what? A stalk of the lily cost NZ100 dollar!
Hannah