CyberSalad: Garden Pursuits: Bulbs: Lilies

[CyberSalad] [Garden Pursuits] [Garden Quotes] [Garden Journal] [The Language of Flowers] [Monthly Chores]
[Garden Poetry] [Zone Maps] [First/Last Frost Dates] [Trees] [Ground Covers] [Fruit/Berries] [Water Garden]
[Gardening Links] [Vegetables] [Lawn] [Raised Beds] [Bulbs, etc.] [Shrubs] [Perennials] [Annuals] [Herbs]

Lilium

Recent hybrids of lilies are vigorous, colorful, adapt to a great variety of growing conditions, and are disease resistant. Due to the large number of hybrids, it's possible to have a succession of fragrant, blooming lilies from late spring until early fall. Lilies can be used anywhere their striking beauty is desired to create a focal point in the garden. They are most effective in small groups, and should be planted with at least three in a group. Colonies of bulbs can be left undisturbed for years, but should be lifted and divided when they become overcrowded.
Most lilies can be left in the ground overwinter in Zones 3-10. Lilies do best with at least 5-6 hours of sun daily, but tiger lilies and wood lilies tolerate light shade. They cannot tolerate wet soil about their roots. Lilies can be planted in the fall or early spring. Plant 9-18 inches apart and cover them with 4-6 inches of soil. Propagate lilies in fall from the small bulbs that develop around the large ones, from the bulbils that develop on the stems of some varieties, or from the scales that comprise the bulb.

	Asiatic Lilies, Generally early flowering, most asiatic varieties bloom in June. They range from 2 to 5 feet tall with 4- to 6-inch flowers in bright reds, yellow, and orange as well as delicate shades of pink, lavender, and creamy white.
	Longiflorum Lilies, This group includes varieties of Lilium longiflorum sold as Easter lilies. In the garden, they grow 2 to 3 feet tall and bear their fragrant 6 to 8 inch white trumpets in July.
	Oriental Lilies, Generally August flowering, Oriental hybrids grow 2 to 8 feet in height. The extremely fragrant flowers, which may grow as large as 12 inches across, come in white, white with golden stripes, pink, and crimson.
	Tiger Lilies, Lilium tigrinum 2-4 feet tall. These 3-5 inch black-spotted orange flowers usually bloom in July and August.
	Trumpet Lilies, The trumpet lilies, also called aurelian lilies, are the giants. They usually grow between 4 and 5 feet tall, but some may reach 5 to 7 feet. The blooms are large, and most are very fragrant. Bloom time is late June through August.

Sign Our Guestbook

View Our Guestbook

	©2000-2007 Garden Pursuits. All Rights Reserved. WebMistress: Barbara Anders This site best viewed in 800x600 resolution. Graphics on this site are for my personal use only, and are not available for download. Please do not take.

Site launched January 1, 2000.
Site updated September 1, 2007.