Certain to become your absolute favorite Asiatic Lily, 'Blackbird' boasts dramatic color in a very compact package. Just 2 to 3 feet high, it sets blooms up to 6 inches wide, with very sturdy stems that keep them fresh over a longer period, before or after cutting. Whether you love your Lilies in the garden, in the vase, or wherever you can get them, 'Blackbird' is ready to turn early Lily season into a paradise of color.Until you see these flowers for yourself, you might wonder why a red Lily is called 'Blackbird.' It's true that the base petal color is a deep, intense red. But the smoky-black shading and freckles at the base and center of each petal give it a dark gloss. Coupled with the satiny texture and wing-shaped petal structure, the blooms really do evoke the brilliant flash of color revealed when a blackbird's wing catches the sunlight.
These flowers range from 3 to 6 inches long, with 6 widely-spaced, slightly recurved petals and a merry cluster of complementary central anthers. In addition to offering brilliant contrast to just about every other Asiatic in the garden, they are also breathtaking alongside Madonna Lily. And because they are not strongly scented, they make a fine companion to Roses, which bloom at the same time.
'Blackbird' is hardy to -30 degrees F, and very easy to grow. Find a sunny spot in well-worked, enriched soil, or select the container of your choice for this compact 2- to 3-foot-tall, 9- to 12-inch-wide plant. It will return season after season for a glorious display. Zones 4-9.
