Lilium asiatic ‘Forever Suzan’

We’ve sold ‘Forever Susan’ for years, and it’s a real standout on the nursery benches. The flowers are the main draw, with a deep, near-black burgundy at the centre that bleeds out to bright orange on the petal tips. They are held facing upwards on strong stems, making them excellent for cutting. This is an Asiatic hybrid, so it flowers a little earlier than some other types, usually in early to mid-summer.

This is a reliable bulbous perennial that will form a good clump over time. It typically grows to between 0.6 and 0.9 metres tall. Like most lilies, it prefers its roots to be in cool, shaded ground and its flowers in the sun. It will be happy in full sun or partial shade, planted in well-drained soil that has been enriched with some organic matter.

After the flowers have faded, just remove the spent blooms. Allow the stems and leaves to die back naturally in autumn; this feeds the bulb for next year’s display. ‘Forever Susan’ is a great choice for adding a splash of intense colour to the middle of a border or for growing in a large pot.