Himalayas

Giant Himalayan Lily. Outrageous Lily family member which can reach 14' high in flower with huge 10" long Easter Lily white flowers flushed purple in the throat. This has an intoxicating fragrance which rides on the breeze throughout the garden especially in the evening. Large green heart-shaped leaves evocative of a Hosta ever increasing in size until it is old enough to bloom which is usually around 7 years of age. Once it is old enough, it sends up this amazing flower stalk in spring culminating in flowers in the latter part of June. This requires so much energy that the main bulb dies but it usually makes several offsets to carry on in subsequent years. As a bonus, the dried flower stalk with its decorative seed pods makes for an arresting bit of indoor decor. Considering the time involved, the sheer magnificence coupled with the poetic finality, flowering is an event that demands a party with plenty of sparkling wine. It's a great excuse for a little justifiable bragging. Plant shallow in rich and moist soil.

Plants from wild seed of this Himalayan Bergenia species that we seem incapable of having too many different collections of. Its easy to see why when the red flushed new leaves arrive. Those leaves are smaller than other species and form a nice low mat with dark pink flowers in the Spring. 

Have you also found yourself wondering if Tibetan monks eat strawberry rhubarb pie? When you discover the myriad amazing Rhubarb species that dot the Himalaya its a natural next query. If they do I wonder how they cope with the intricacies of high-elevation baking....Well one thing is for sure they aren't using this species, though it used as a highly valued medicinal for a range of ailments. So valued in fact that there may be cause for conservation concern. So do your part and grow this beauty in the back yard (and treat your bellyaches while you're at it?), huge ruffled dark green leaves form a clump that can get upwards of 5ft tall and wide. The plumes of white flowers aren't bad either. Not for those in the hot humidity of the deep South, unlike strawberry-rhubarb pie.

Helmeted Cobra Lily or Jack in the Pulpit. Young bulbs of this rare species from the Indian Himalayan foothills. Tall stems to 4'+ carry big 3-parted leaves and strongly cowled or helmeted flowers varying from green with white stripes to purplish. Choice plant and one to brag about. These are and seed-grown from our plants in our shade garden which have persisted and done well for 7 years now.

The rarest species in cultivation having only first been collected by Tony Schilling in 1966 from a small colony found in the Dudh Kosi Valley in Nepal. This has handsome pinnate leaves and impressive light white flowers on stems to 3' or more. This species just has a subtle different feeling about it than the other Asian species. Very collectable.