Belamcandra chinensis (Leopard Lily)

Belamcandra chinensis (Blackberry Lily, Leopard Lily)

The seeds for this plant, Belamcandra chinensis, were given to the gardeners by the Head Gardener at Merton College. Sown in the spring, the seeds were quick to germinate, pricked out into individual pots and planted out once the frosts had passed in early June. Hidden beneath the taller plants in the orange themed corner border, the flowers had gone unnoticed until the border was cleared on Monday, when the delicate, spotted flower was seen for the first time, opening up before the gardener's eyes almost as if it was waiting to display its beauty. The flower, bright orange with dark spots, gives it the common name of the Leopard Lily, which will be followed by its clusters of black, berry like seeds, giving rise to its other common name, Blackberry Lily.