Lilium Martagon 'Gaybird'

'Gaybird' is a richly coloured Martagon hybrid with tall, slender stems carrying tiers of nodding Turk's-cap flowers. The strongly recurved petals are dark pink to reddish purple, warmed by golden yellow at the centre and scattered with deep maroon spots. Mature plants can hold many blooms above handsome whorls of leaves, creating an airy floral candelabra in early summer. Excellent in light woodland or among shrubs, it may take time to settle after planting but can then persist for many years. Seedlings offer new variations on its distinctive colour pattern.