The Glorious Lily

The Gloriosa Lily gets its name from the Latin word, gloriosus: glorious.

It is indeed a beautiful and spectacular flower. The first time I ever saw it growing in all its "Glory" was at a dear old friend's house, where she had it in a very large pot on a porch which was completely glassed in. The plant got the wonderful morning sun and light all through the day. Its flowers were the most magnificent that I have ever seen.

I hastened out to get a piece and put it in a pot on my front veranda. Alas, the first year, it had lush green growth but nary a flower. Then, to my dismay I lost track of it, having stored the pot away during the dormant period and I did not find it again until it was almost too late to keep it in good shape to flower the second year.

After this, I made sure I kept track of it and brought it out in time the following year. I repotted it, fed it and gave it a nice spot on the veranda in the morning sun. I placed a piece of green plastic trellis in the large pot to help it climb as it grew.

I was amazed at how quickly it grew and how tall! Reaching toward the sky, the tendrils clamped around the plastic trellis pulling itself skyward until I was beginning to wonder if I had found the beans in Jacks beanstalk. I watched it daily as it reached higher towards the heavens.

To my delight, I saw the first green flower buds appear. Knowing how spectacular the flower is once it opens, I pointed it out to my eldest grand daughter (Tamara is nearly fifteen) who comes in once or twice a week to our place so that I can help her with homework. Tamara was not too impressed with the first green bud I showed her, nor with my enthusiasm, as I explained to her that the flowers were indeed magnificent. This she could not envisage, even through my enthusiasm!.

I eagerly waited her arrival each time to show her little more of the colour as it appeared. She eventually fell in love with the Gloriosa flower as I did, when I first saw it too.

Gloriosa rothschildiana is named after Lionel Walter, 2nd. Baron Rothschild (1868 - 1937). It grows in Tropical Africa. Its flowers are a crimson colour with yellow edges and undulate margins. It makes an excellent long-lasting cut flower and is often used in bouquets by florists. It grows by seed or division and it is the showiest of the species.

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