'L. auratum var. platyphyllum' (Lilium species or wild lily)

Nearly as hardy as any Oriental hybrid, Lilium auratum var. platyphyllum was instrumental in the development of the now lost 'Imperial Gold' strain and the magnificent 'Empress of India' This photo, courtesy of Ed McRae was taken by Mr. Herman Wall. I met Herman in the early 1980's by chance and it was his generous offer to "let me show you how to shoot flowers" that has led to in excess of 20,000 photos of lilies over the past 30+ years. Mr. Wall, though a professional, was never short on time to help a struggling photographer. "Thank you" Herman.

Photo inset upper left is of 'Empress of India', one of the most beautiful and magnificent hybrids of L. auratum ever developed. We flowered one bulb received in 1977 from Rex Lilies and lost it to voles the following spring. Unfortunately, Oregon Bulb Farm discontinued it the following year. This photo was graciously provided to us in 1980 by Ed McRae and graced the covers of our planting instructions for about 10 years.

Photo insert #2 upper right corner is of a very early Auratum hybrid named L. auratum x 'Pomegranate' selected from the L. auratum x 'Esperanza' strain of A. Buckley of Canada in 1947-48. Photo from the collection of Bill and Mary Hoffman.

Photo insert #3, lower left is of L. auratum 'Cupids Flame' an unregistered seedling circ. 1940. Photo from the collection of Bill and Mary Hoffman.