Cardiocrinum giganteum

The sign says: 'To see this giant lily in flower is a rare sight...' Well, we missed it.
Apparently, it grows slowly for the first six years , then puts forth huge flower spikes in its seventh year for just a couple of weeks before dying. But it does leave behind these rather splendid seed pods. I was just thinking how good they would look in a vase by the fireside when we saw the sign! I wouldn't have, honestly.
Dunham Massey opened fully again today and these can (still) be seen in the winter garden.