Lilium `Yellow Grace`

Abstract

A new variety of hybrid lily plant bearing large upfacing flowers of excellent form and long persistence, both on the plant and as cut-flowers. The flowers of the new plant are particularly characterized by their exceptional substance, deep yellow coloring, their small brushmarks and inconspicuous spotting, their starry form with tepals only slightly overlapping, their narrow green nectary furrows with yellow pubescent margins, and their semi-umbellate inflorescence. `Yellow Grace` has attractively ascending foliage and forces well even under extremely warm conditions. This combination is completely new in the Asiatic hybrid divisions of lilies suited to forcing and to mass commercial cultivation. The variety is highly resistant to Fusarium disease and shows tolerance of virus. The bulbs may be precooled and forced for cut-flower production. The clone is vigorous and is a good grower and propagator.

I claim: 
     
       1. A new and distinctive variety of Asiatic hybrid lily plant substantially as herein shown and described, characterized by its high resistance to disease; its tolerance of virus; its vigorous growth and rapid natural propagation; the excellence of its flower form, size, and substance; its versatility both as a garden plant and as a cut-flower producer from pre-cooled bulbs forced under glass out of season; and in particular by its unique upfacing flowers showing deep yellow coloration, inconspicuous spotting and small brushmarks, narrow green nectaries with soft yellow pubescent margins, starry flower form with only slightly overlapping tepals, and semi-umbellate inflorescence, a combination unique among Asiatic hybrid lilies suited to forcing and to mass commercial cultivation.