Sumo Matisse Oriental Lilium 'Robert Swanson'

The tall stems of Lily ‘Robert Swanson’ are lavished in wine red and golden yellow blooms. Each flower is up to 17cm across with deeply recurved petals. The nectaries are pale green and pronounced. Up to 12 flowers open on a single stem. It can get quite tall so should be planted in a protected position or you may have to stake.

Why Sumo? Sumo Lilies are the biggest and the best Lilium bulbs on offer. Originally produced for the floristry industry, these XL bulbs have grown so big they actually have too many blooms! While this is not good in bunches, it is great in gardens, allowing you a big number of blooms from the get go and are faster to flower.

As well as adding glamour and fragrance to the garden, Sumo Oriental Lilies are tough, and able to withstand our hot summers. They are best planted in a permanent position where, as they establish will become more floriferous. They are great cut flowers too. We recommend planting them in groups of three or more for the best display.

It is a good idea to fertilise your Lilies, they are hungry bulbs and this will help to give you the best blooms. Adding an organic fertiliser when you first see growth, then again as they are fading is ideal. If you are growing your Lilies in pots, fertiliser is even more important and in this case a slow release pellet such as Thrive or a regular application of liquid fertiliser is best. Water to establish, and keep moist in active growth for best results.

Lilium ‘Robert Swanson’ is an O.T. hybrid, which means it is a cross between an Oriental and a Christmas or Triumph Lily. So you get the best of both worlds, trumpet shaped blooms with good fragrance.

In warmer climates, it is a good idea to grow your Liliums in part shade or morning sun, so your flowers will last longer.