The genesis of this article can be traced back to meeting Charlie Kroell. Charlie and his wife Marijean were in the UK to attend the RHS International Lily Conference 2004. While he and I were comparing notes about the lilies we grew, the subject of L. henryi var. citrinum came up – whether it is a yellow variety of the predominantly orange L. henryi or a hybrid. Charlie, as I’m sure readers will know, has written about this lily in NALS publications. Since the 2004 Conference he and I have continued, without resolution, to discuss the variety versus hybrid question through the exchange of many e-mails between Scotland and the USA.

Recently, and on a sadder note, Charlie asked me if I would write an article about Dr. Chris North who died last July, aged 87. He had read my tribute to Chris in an RHS Lily Group Newsletter, so when David Sims, the NALS Yearbook editor, opined that an article about Chris would be appropriate Charlie contacted me. Although he did not provide me with a brief for the article, Charlie did say he would prefer me “not to write in black bordered obituary mode” and this I accepted as prescient advice because Chris was one of the most life-affirming people I have known. Hence, the tone of this article will be celebratory of Chris’s professional achievements (including the development of his lily hybrids), his personal accomplishments and his friendship.

Biographical Details

Chris North was a multifaceted individual who achieved success and recognition in his professional life as a scientist and in his personal life as a gifted artist, photographer and writer. Perhaps it was this rare combination of the empirical and the creative in his make up that led him to take an interest in and excel in so many different pursuits.

Although some of the following information is already in the public domain, in the obituary which was published in the UK’s Daily Telegraph newspaper last September, some biographical details will provide the reader with an insight into the development of Chris North the reflective and perceptive practitioner, whether the objects of his reflections were plants or otherwise.

Chris North was born in Bromley, Kent (south of London) on September 12, 1917. After school, he studied Horticulture at Reading University. While at University he decided to concentrate on Brassicas – specifically cabbages and brussels sprouts – hardly in the same class aesthetically as lilies perhaps, but certainly of more general economic and culinary value.

Chris met his wife Marie, to whom he was married for 56 years, while serving in the RAF during the Second World War. Sadly, Marie – after whom one of the most attractive North hybrids is named – predeceased her husband in December 2003.

After the war, Chris continued working on improving Brassicas at the National Institute of Agricultural Botany at Cambridge. Then in 1953 he was appointed to a research post at the Scottish Horticultural Research Institute (now the Scottish Crops Research Institute) at Mylnefield on the outskirts of Dundee, which is in the east of Scotland. In 1975 Chris was presented with a Scottish Horticultural Medal for the breeding of better strains of vegetables, including the Celtic cabbage, the first F? hybrid Brassica produced in Britain.

Although Chris once told me that Brassicas were more complex plants than lilies, I feel I have reached the point in this article where it would be appropriate to focus on the apparently simple but beautiful lily – specifically in terms of the development of the North hybrids – and leave the more complex but perhaps less captivating cabbages and brussels sprouts behind.

Development of the North lilies

In 1966 Chris was Head of the Plant Breeding Department at the Scottish Horticultural Research Institute. The Institute’s primary aim related to food production, specifically to the development of soft fruit and vegetable cultivars that could cope with the Scottish climate. Thus it was quite a departure from the normal business of the Institute when the director suggested a modest project to develop lily cultivars to suit the British climate. Fortunately, initial bureaucratic resistance was overcome and Chris, assisted by a small team, began the process – lasting from 1966 to 1978 – which resulted in the development of the lily cultivars that came to be known as North hybrids.

During the year 2000 Chris produced a CD-ROM called “Mylnefield Lilies”. The following information is an illustrative summary of the development of the North and other hybrids which is dealt with in more detail in the Introduction, Index and of course through the supporting photographs contained on the CD.
The initial steps in the project were as follows:

• Large numbers of Asiatic species and varieties were inter-crossed because these constitute the most important group of lilies for European conditions.
• Parent plants were grown in pots in a cool greenhouse and after crossing the stigmas of the flowers were covered with aluminum foil to prevent further hybridisation by insects.
• Seed from the crosses was sown the following spring in a heated greenhouse in vermiculite kept watered with a soluble complete fertilizer.
• Vermiculite was employed to minimise root damage when the seedlings were lifted and planted directly into a field in May.

The first batch of seedlings numbered 2,000, of which most flowered in the year after transplanting. As garden worthiness was the main objective, these plants were selected for their vigour, freedom from disease, ability to stand without staking, unusual colours and ease of propagation from bulb scales. Four clones were named and released in 1974. These were ‘Orestes,’ ‘Odysseus,’ ‘Minos’ and ‘Phoebus.’ Later two others were selected: ‘Achilles’ and ‘Pandora.’ All of these lilies were multiplied by scaling the bulbs and then the resulting plants were tested in the field for the garden-worthiness characteristics already stated.

During the next phase of the project another Asian species, L. lankongense, was introduced into the hybridisation programme. This lily was introduced for its flower colour, – true pink – delicate scent, resistance to botrytis and also because nobody had ever successfully used it to produce hybrids.

Initial attempts to use L. lankongense in hybridisation were a failure because cross pollination did not give rise to normal seed that would germinate in the soil. However, some of the very small embryos from the few chaff-like seed were dissected under sterile conditions and transferred individually to glass tubes containing the nutrient agar to be grown using embryo culture. Six of these embryos produced healthy plants that were propagated vegetatively and grown in the field. All but one of the resulting hybrids were crosses between L. lankongense and L. davidii. Two of the hybrids were named ‘Ariadne’ and ‘Adonis.’ ‘Adonis’ was awarded the Reginald Cory Memorial Cup and in 1977 Chris was awarded the Lyttel Lily Cup; both accolades were given by the RHS for his work in the cultivation of lilies. On a transatlantic note, ‘Ariadne’ won the Isabella Preston Award for Best in Show when it was exhibited by Columbia Platte Lilies at the 1993 NALS show in St. Louis, MO.

Attempts were then made to back cross the first L. lankongense hybrids with other Asiatic cultivars. However, these crosses also gave rise to the production of imperfect seeds containing very small embryos, also necessitating the use of embryo culture. Although the three seedlings the back crossing gave rise to (‘Theseus,’ ‘Eros’ and ‘Pan’) were vigorous and notable lilies, they represented a very small proportion of the greenhouse full of pollinated plants from which they came. However, raising the temperature in the greenhouse the following year resulted in more hybridised seed capsules producing more embryos than could be cultured. It had also been found that many plants from cultured embryos died when transferred to compost, so embryo plants were, instead, kept in a mist propagator with artificial lighting for a few weeks. Adopting these measures resulted in over 300 new seedlings being obtained, many of which were vigorous and interesting.

As the L. lankongense hybrids were sterile, it was decided to attempt to regain fertility by using colchicine to double their chromosome counts. Most lily species and cultivars are diploids, i.e., they have 24 chromosomes; but when they are treated with colchicine this method gives rise to plants which are tetraploids, i.e., they have 48 chromosomes. Tetraploids typically have flowers with broader tepals than diploids and, in the case of conversions from sterile diploid hybrids, the result is often the onset of fertility.

It was decided to double the chromosome numbers of ‘Theseus,’ ‘Eros’ and ‘Pan’ by using a dilute solution of colchicine. Later a chromosome count showed that many had, in fact, 72 chromosomes, i.e., they were derived from triploids with 36 chromosomes This triploidy was of special interest, for the few triploids known amongst species lilies, e.g., L. lancifolium, are especially vigorous and often very adaptable, though having the disadvantage of being virtually sterile. However, perhaps that is because L. lancifolium is, as many lily pundits have speculated, probably a hybrid.

The second batch of L. lankongense back cross hybrids was very promising and most were propagated vegetatively and grown on to a reasonable scale in the field. All of those chosen were found to be triploids – the diploids were invariably weaker growers. Ten of the best were chosen for vigour and apparent disease resistance and to include a wide range of flower colour – all had downward-facing flowers. The Institute eventually sold these lilies to the Lily Group of the RHS in 1986. At their request Chris gave the lilies names of female members of the North family ranging from his step-mother to nieces. They are: ‘Angela,’ ‘Barbara,’ ‘Bronwen,’ ‘Helen,’ ‘Eileen’, ‘Marie,’ ‘Hannah,’ ‘Karen,’ ‘Peggy’ and ‘Rosemary.’ Another lily, ‘Iona’, was named and registered by Mrs. Dee Martyn Simmons, who was the Chair of the Lily Group Committee when the North Ladies, as they came to be known, were sold to the Lily Group. ‘Iona’ is similar to ‘Rosemary’, but flowers two to three weeks later. Additionally, 22 unnamed selections were sent to Wisley and then passed on to members of the Lily Group.

Having achieved considerable success with crossing Asiatic species and hybrids, Chris turned his attention to crosses among Euro/Caucasian species: L. pyrenaicum (as the female parent) and L. monadelphum, L. ponticum, L. ciliatum, L. chalcedonicum and L. pomponium (as the male parents, brought on in a heated greenhouse so that their pollen was available for use with L. pyrenaicum which flowers earlier). The hybrid seed, which was imperfect, was grown by embryo culture. Most of the crosses resulted in flowering plants that were intermediate between the two species involved. The hybrids were multiplied vegetatively and, as with the L. lankongense hybrids, they were grown in a field. Unfortunately, most of these hybrids were not very vigorous so they were discarded. However, the L. pyrenaicum x L. pomponium cross, which was later named ‘Chris North’ after Chris’s grandson, was considered worthy enough to be kept as was the L. pyrenaicum x L. ciliatum cross.

The final aspect of the lily project concentrated on producing a cross between L. henryi and Asiatic hybrids. A large number of L. henryi flowers were pollinated using various Asiatic hybrids. Six seedlings were obtained by using embryo culture, but cytological examination showed that only one seedling was a true hybrid of L. henryi x an Asiatic cultivar – the first ever to be recorded. Unfortunately, a mistake in the records meant that it was not possible to identify the cultivar and it was decided that, as this lily was not up to the required standard, it would not be released.

North hybrids: the future

Chris North felt that no matter how good a lily cultivar is, it is unlikely to be a success unless it is well advertised and made available commercially. He also expressed the view (when he wrote the introductory notes for the “Mylnefield Lilies” CD in the year 2000) that, although North hybrids have been well advertised, over the period they have been available to the public commercial production “is at present somewhat in the doldrums.” However, subsequent to this somewhat depressing conclusion, Chris and his former colleague Dr. Peter Waister (who maintained a virus-free stock of North hybrids) approached a nursery called Border Belles (which is near Dunbar, the birthplace of the conservationist John Muir) with a view to addressing the problem of the commercial production of North hybrids. Recently, I contacted the Border Belles and was informed that bulbs of North hybrids should be available for sale to the public in either autumn 2006 or spring 2007. This is good news for the many lily growers who hold North hybrids in the high regard they deserve. The establishment of a National Collection at the National Trust for Scotland’s Branklyn Garden in Perth (about 40 miles north of Edinburgh) provides an additional way of “advertising” North hybrids within a particularly lovely setting.

While recognising and accepting that commercial production is important to making desirable lily cultivars available, I have always felt that the wealth of interest and expertise that must exist within the memberships of organisations like the RHS Lily Group and NALS could make a parallel contribution to, for instance, the conservation of exceptional hybrids like Chris North’s. It was to tap into that interest and expertise that I wrote an article for the Spring 2005 RHS Lily Group Newsletter entitled: “A Proposal for Conserving Some Important Hybrid Lilies (better late than never).” Although the article dealt with the conservation/re-creation of Chris North’s, Derek Fox’s and Oliver Wyatt’s hybrids, the example quoted below refers specifically to North hybrids.

Some readers might still be in the dark as to how the actual process of conserving bulbs might work. Hopefully, the following example, focusing on North Hybrids, should make this clear.

• In the autumn those taking part exchange flowering-sized bulbs and/or to begin with I send those taking part flowering sized bulbs (from my “start up” stock).
• Those taking part remove some scales from the exchanged/received bulbs for the propagation of more bulbs using standard scaling methods.
• Those taking part plant the partially scaled bulb in their garden, thus increasing their collection of, in this case, North Hybrids.
• When the scales have produced small bulbs, those taking part pot these up and tend them until they reach flowering size, whereupon some of the bulbs can be exchanged, for further increase, and some retained by the contributor to enhance his/her collection.

Gradually, this process should increase the distribution and ownership of, in this case, North Hybrids and thereby help to conserve these beautiful lilies. There is of course a risk that virus-infected bulbs may be exchanged inadvertently. However, I would suggest that Lily Group members are at least as punctilious as bulb suppliers from whom we purchase bulbs that involve the same risk. In essence, nothing in life is without risk and that includes the proposal outlined in the bullet points above.

I have to admit the response to my proposal was modest, but as I only had two dozen bulbs to send to people, my initial disappointment was swiftly replaced by feelings of relief. So, working on a model of “think small now, think bigger later,” I and a small band of RHS Lily Group members are busy tending our scaled bulbs in Scotland, England, Germany, Switzerland and Holland. The question is, are there any similarly minded North hybrid enthusiasts in NALS who feel they would like to emulate this modest example of conserving these lilies?
North hybrids: aesthetic and garden worthiness

Prior to writing this article I surfed the web for a bit (not too long as I’m of the wrong generation to possess either the fascination or the stamina for this kind of pursuit) to find out what kinds of lily hybrids were available and whether, in attractiveness, they had left the North hybrids behind. I found Asiatic hybrids, Oriental hybrids, longiflorum x Asiatic hybrids, longiflorum x Oriental hybrids, Orienpet hybrids, Trumpet hybrids, etc and although I’m biased I can’t say that in all their hybrid diversity any of these cultivars surpassed the subtlety of poise, elegance or colour range of the North hybrids. But if I had been able to find the fortitude to visit a few hundred more websites, perhaps I might have had to change my mind. However, I have to recognise that whatever the aesthetic context, beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, so while my reasons for finding North hybrids particularly lovely might resonate with some readers, others will beg to differ with my appraisal.

With reference to garden worthiness, some criticism has been made about the constitution of North hybrids in the sense that the plants can have a short life span in the garden. Yet my experience indicates the opposite as I still have the cultivars I purchased from Derek Fox in 1994, which have produced many bulblets and have also been increased through bulb scaling. However, plants from the North ladies series, e.g., ‘Angela’ and ‘Rosemary,’ do have a more robust stature and larger flowers than the earlier Greek gods series, e.g., ‘Ariadne’ and ‘Eros,’ perhaps explaining why the suggestion of slightness of garden longevity came about. In my experience two things can enhance the constitution and performance of North hybrids: the type of soil they are planted in and regular feeding. As someone who prefers species lilies – because man tries his best, but nature does it best – I assumed that North hybrids would appreciate an acid, free draining, leaf-mould enriched medium, when they actually prefer ordinary garden soil, incorporating horticultural grit to improve drainage, that has been dressed with a standard fertiliser (I use a rose fertiliser).

Final words

Charlie asked me to write this article because I was Chris North’s friend and, although Chris died last July, he is still a presence in my life. He is a presence when I reflect on the times I spent in his garden and he in mine and we shared our admiration for a particular lily or Cypripedium that happened to be in flower (hardy orchids were a close second to lilies in Chris’s interests). He is a presence in the sense that I will be taking his book A Botanical Tour Round the Mediterranean, (also available as a CD) with me when I visit Sicily in the spring, as I have taken it to help me identify plants in other Mediterranean countries. He is a presence when my wife Christine makes bread according to the recipe and the way he showed her. He is a presence when Christine and I listen to Mozart while enjoying a glass of wine because Chris loved both. But most especially, he is a presence when I step out into the garden on fine sunny mornings in mid-July to behold an array of the beautiful hybrids he created and left for us all to take pleasure in.