World’s tallest lilies begin to bloom at Dunham Massey (From Messenger Newspapers)

Visitors can see the world's tallest lilies in bloom at the National Trust's Dunham Massey garden

9:00am Friday 29th June 2012 in News

VISITORS to Dunham Massey are in for a horticultural treat - they will see the world’s tallest lilies coming into flower.

Taking seven years to flower from seed, the giant Himalayan lily has a single stem reaching two to three metres in height - and bearing up to 20 large white lily flowers.

The lilies - cardiocrinum giganteum - are now starting to flower with several already out. The display is expected to last until mid July.

Sandra Nock, a member of Dunham’s gardening team, said: “We have around 40 mature cardiocrinums at Dunham. They are a fantastic sight when they flower – and even the seed heads provide an attractive addition to the garden throughout autumn and winter.”

After each plant matures from seed to flowering plant in seven years, the main plant (a bulb) actually dies, producing little side plants or ‘bulblets’ that will themselves go on to flower in around 4 – 7 years.

Native to the Himalayas, China and Japan, the natural habitat for them is woodland. The sweetly-scented flowers are white with red markings and in Europe usually appear for two weeks in July.

Dunham Massey garden is open daily, 11am – 5.30pm. For details go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunhammassey