‘Claude Shride’ is surely one of the most beautiful, garden-worthy and enduring of all the true Lilium martagon hybrids. We love its graceful tall stems of whorled leaves, bearing ever-increasing numbers of glossy, shining bronzed red “Turk’s cap” flowers. It grows happily in moderate shade to full sun. The Martagons sometimes take a year to recover from transplanting and may or may not show any sign of top growth,but once established they will thrive for decades. Claude Shride bred wonderful Martagons in the Pacific Northwest, and his namesake can endure not only the coldest winters but even wet winters, as long as planted where drainage is good. In its second year, stems may carry 20-30 flowers. Very early flowering, blooming along with the late May rhododendrons in our garden, 3’-4’ and eventually taller.