It is extremely unlikely that more than one per cent. of the seeds will produce a blossom which bears the marks of both parents. The majority will either die, or else be simple _L. Auratum_, without anything to show that they are hybrids.
Even with those rare plants which definitely show their hybrid origin, a great diversity of colouring may be observed. But the colour of the parents is very variable, and after a few years the hybrid lily looses the characteristics of the _L. Speciosum_ and becomes merely a reddish variety of _L. Auratum_.
But there are two hybrid lilies which are quite constant, and as they are two of the finest of the whole group, they are well worth growing.
_Lilium Alexandræ_, the Japanese “Uki Ure” or “Hill Lily,” is in all probability a hybrid between _Lilium Auratum_ and _Lilium Longiflorum_. We say “in all probability,” for we are not quite certain that it is not a true species.
There are some persons who think that one white lily is much like another. But put side by side _L. Alexandræ_, _L. Longiflorum_, and _L. Candidum_. Are they alike? Could anyone mistake one for another? Surely not! They differ in every detail—even in colour. The long trumpet of _L. Longiflorum_ is delicate greenish-white. The Madonna lily is like porcelain; and the hill lily possesses a rich milky hue, somewhat resembling the colour of _L. Brownii_, which we so much admired.
And in shape how different they are. One is a long and regular trumpet, another is a shallow cup, and the lily we are specially considering is widely opened with its segments slightly curved, the whole blossom resembling a gigantic white star.
_Lilium Alexandræ_ is not a big lily. It grows about two feet high and bears from one to four blossoms. These blossoms are very large, of a rich milky white, resembling in shape those of _L. Auratum_. The pollen is chocolate colour. The fragrance of this lily is very great. On the evening of a hot day in the middle of August last year we could detect the scent of a bed of these lilies, then in full bloom, at the distance of over one hundred yards. Its scent is rich and full, something between that of jasmine and vanilla.
The culture of this hybrid is not difficult. It is best grown in pots, for it is very sensitive to rain at its flowering period. In rigorous districts this lily should be grown in a cool greenhouse, but in the south of England it will grow to perfection out of doors. The soil should consist of equal parts of peat, very finely broken, leaf-mould, and sharp sand. It wants a very large quantity of water.