Notholirion bulbuliferum

GHOST LILY

Notholirion bulbuliferum
GHOST LILY

Notholirion bulbuliferum has enchanting, ghostly coloured blooms.

Ghostly & ethereal blooms

With unusual shades of ghostly grey, lavender and purple brushed over ivory flaring bells.
And prominent stamen whiskers.
Making the colour, texture and shape of these beautiful blooms unlike any other flower.

Treasure for woodland conditions

Notholirion bulbuliferum is an unusual bulb ideal for woodland conditions.
It is native to woodlands  in western China and Afghanistan.
So it loves the Dappled Light and Shade under trees and shrubs.
And well drained soil that is enriched with plenty of compost and old leaves.

Plant your bulbs quite deep for best results.
A depth of 10cm of humus rich soil above the bulb is recommended. And it is a good idea to make a bed of grit to plant the bulb on, to ensure the good drainage it loves.

A lovely colony of ghosts

Notholirion bulbuliferum is actually a monocarpic bulb – meaning that it flowers, makes offset bulbs, and then the parent bulb says bye bye. But do not be a-feared, these new offset bulbs will continue to flower and make new generations each year.
So it will slowly build up a little colony in the woodland places where it is happy.
It is begins to shoot over winter, and then blooms in spring on strong 60cm. spires.
Though it then goes dormant in summer, it is a good idea to maintain some moisture in the soil during hot weather to keep the developing bulbs nice and plump for next season.

Notholirion bulbuliferum is frost hardy, and can tolerate frosts down to approx. -15C, depending on conditions.

Unusual but one of the easiest from seed

It is an unusual beauty in the Lily family.
But has a reputation of being one of the easiest and most reliable bulbs to raise from seed.
And happy bulbs will certainly set loads of seed so you can multiply your colony.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: Notholirion bulbuliferum 

Sow in punnets indoors at any time / or sow outdoors in garden autumn or winter.

INDOORS: First sow the seeds on their sides, in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then barely cover the seeds with grit/sieved mix/or sand.

Now keep the punnet consistently moist in a warm, well-lit position for 4 weeks (not in direct sunlight).
Because temperatures of 18-24°C. are ideal for rapid and optimum germination.
Then seeds usually sprout in 30 days

However if the seeds are shy to germinate, then they require a period of moist chilling to break their natural dormancy.
So wrap the sown, moist punnet in cling wrap or a plastic bag and place in fridge (not freezer) for 6 weeks.

After the period of chilling in the fridge, remove punnet from the fridge, unwrap, and make it thoroughly moist.

Then place again in a warm, well-lit position at 18-24°C.
And keep it consistently moist but not wet.
But patience – do not discard punnet, as some seedlings may come later than others, and this is normal for this plant.

SEED COUNT: 8 large seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count and give a generous serve).

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