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Description
Lilium Martagon Claude Shride, commonly known as Claude Shride Turk’s Cap Lily, is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the lily family. It is native to the Alps and the Pyrenees but is now widely cultivated in gardens worldwide for its stunning flowers. Claude Shride Turk’s Cap Lily grows up to 1.5 meters tall and blooms in early summer with up to 50 drooping flowers per stem. The flowers are pinkish-purple with dark spots and have recurved petals that give them a turk’s cap appearance.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Phylum: | Tracheophyta |
| Class: | Liliopsida |
| Order: | Liliales |
| Family: | Liliaceae |
| Genus: | Lilium |
| Species: | Lilium martagon |
| Variety: | Claude Shride |
Appearance
The Claude Shride Turk’s Cap Lily has a tall and slender stem with whorled leaves. The leaves are lanceolate and glossy, with a bluish-green hue. The flowers are drooping and have a turk’s cap shape, with recurved petals and stamens that protrude beyond the petals. They are pinkish-purple with dark spots and have a diameter of 5-8 cm. The flowers are fragrant and bloom in early summer, usually in June and July. The plant produces up to 50 flowers per stem, making it a showstopper in any garden.
Care Guide
Claude Shride Turk’s Cap Lily is relatively easy to grow and maintain, as long as you provide it with the right conditions. Here are some care tips to keep your plant healthy and thriving:
Water: The plant prefers moist but well-drained soil. Water it regularly during the growing season, especially during hot and dry spells. Avoid overwatering, as it can cause root rot.
Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring, just as the plant begins to grow. Repeat the application every four weeks until the end of the growing season.
Soil: Claude Shride Turk’s Cap Lily prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5. The soil should be rich in organic matter and well-drained.
Sunlight: The plant prefers partial shade to full sun. In hot and dry climates, it benefits from partial shade during the hottest part of the day.
Hardiness Zones: Claude Shride Turk’s Cap Lily is hardy in USDA Zones 3-8.
Common Pests & Diseases
Like most lilies, Claude Shride Turk’s Cap Lily is susceptible to certain pests and diseases. Here are some of the most common ones:
Pests: Lily beetle, aphids, slugs, and snails are common pests that can damage the plant. Use insecticides or organic pest control methods to keep them at bay.
Diseases: Gray mold, botrytis, and lily mosaic virus are common diseases that can affect the plant. Remove infected parts and dispose of them properly. Use fungicides or organic disease control methods to prevent the spread of the disease.
Habitat
Claude Shride Turk’s Cap Lily is native to the mountains of central and southern Europe, where it grows in alpine meadows and rocky slopes. The plant prefers cool and moist environments and can tolerate partial shade. It is an excellent choice for woodland gardens, rock gardens, and borders.
Question and Answer
Q: How often should I water my Claude Shride Turk’s Cap Lily?
A: Water your plant regularly during the growing season, especially during hot and dry spells. Avoid overwatering, as it can cause root rot.
Q: What is the best soil for Claude Shride Turk’s Cap Lily?
A: The plant prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5. The soil should be rich in organic matter and well-drained.
Q: What is the hardiness zone for Claude Shride Turk’s Cap Lily?
A: The plant is hardy in USDA Zones 3-8.
Q: What pests and diseases are common in Claude Shride Turk’s Cap Lily?
A: Lily beetle, aphids, slugs, and snails are common pests that can damage the plant. Gray mold, botrytis, and lily mosaic virus are common diseases that can affect the plant.
Related Plants
Here are some related plants to Claude Shride Turk’s Cap Lily:
- Lilium martagon
- Lilium candidum
- Lilium auratum
- Lilium regale
References
- “Lilium martagon Claude Shride.” Royal Horticultural Society, www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/238763/i-Lilium-martagon-i-Claude-Shride/Details.
- “Lilium martagon.” Missouri Botanical Garden, www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=281165.
- “Turk’s Cap Lily.” Gardening Know How, www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/lily/turks-cap-lily.htm.
