Grown for their flamboyant, often fragrant blooms from late-spring to summer, lilies are a stalwart of summer borders.
They're well suited to growing in containers, where they can be positioned in borders as and when you need them.
Unlike their oriental cousins, Asiatic lilies are not scented and their flowers tend to be smaller. However, what they lack in size they more than make up for in colour – some of the most brightly coloured lilies, in dazzling shades of yellow, orange, red and almost black, are Asiatic. Asiatic lilies thrive in an alkaline soil, so, unless your soil has a low pH, you can plant bulbs directly in the garden.
Lilium 'Black Mamba' has deepest dark purple flowers with contrasting bright orange anthers. It's ideal for growing in ornamental displays with lighter-flowered lilies, and looks great in a vase.
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Lilium ‘Black mamba’ and wildlife
Lilium ‘Black mamba’ has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Lilium ‘Black mamba’ poisonous?
Lilium ‘Black mamba’ causes an upset stomach and is harmful if ingested. Its foliage, pollen, roots, sap, seed capsules and seeds are toxic.