FARM FRESH LIVING
Celebrating the New Healthy and Organic Lifestyle
Celebrating the New Healthy and Organic Lifestyle
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How to Grow Lilies
Hardy Lilies add Fragrance and Color to any Garden:The hardy lily is an often under utilized summer flowering bulb in perennial gardens and container plantings. Lilies are tough, hardy perennial plants that once established in your garden will continue to perform for you year after year with little care. Lilies, like other summer flowering bulbs including dahlias, garden peonies and gladiolus, can be planted in the spring. Lilies planted in early spring will produce showy blooms that same summer.
All of the hardy lilies, including Asiatic and Oriental hybrids, can be planted in fall or spring, but the best assortment of varieties is usually available to the gardener in spring. Most bulbs are easy to plant and care for, and by planting a wide variety you can augment your existing perennial and shrub plantings, or kick-start a new landscape.
Try plating lilies in odd number groups of 3, 5 or 7 bulbs for maximum color impact. Another way to extend your bloom time is to plant a group of asiatic lilies with a group of oriental lilies. Asiatic Lilies and Oriental Lilies bloom at different times, therefore extending your bloom period.
Lily (Lilium species), the genus Lilium are herbaceous flowering plants normally growing from bulbs, comprising a genus of about 110 species in the lily family, Liliaceae. Lilies are important as large showy cold hardy perennial flowering garden plants and make great cut flowers and provide gorgeous color shows during most of the summer season. Most lily species are reliably hardy as low as Zone 3. There are about 80 species and several hundred cultivars available ranging in height from 2 to 8 feet. Lilies are available in almost every color from the pure white fragrant Casa Blanca lily to Landini lily, a nearly black lily.
Lilies need well-drained soil in an area that receives sun or part shade. The ideal situation will place the lily flowers and leaves in sun while shading their roots. They need to be kept moist. Lilies can be planted either in the fall or spring, whenever the bulbs are available. Handle the bulbs carefully because the scales can be easily broken off. Space them 6 to 10 inches apart. Plant lilies (except Madonna lilies) with 4 to 6 inches of soil covering the bulb. This allows them to form roots along their stems. Fertilize lilies lightly monthly with 4-8-4 organic fertilizer, starting when the shoots begin to emerge. Tall lilies should be staked and protected from high winds. Mulch well to keep lily roots cool. Remove blooms when they die to prevent seedpod formation. Cut stems off at ground level after they turn brown, but never cut them down while the leaves are still green. Form more information on preparing your garden for winter, read our Fall Gardening article.
Easter lilies (Lilium longiflorum) have classic white trumpet-shaped flowers and a heavenly scent. They will thrive in hot coastal climates. They grow from 1½ to 3 feet tall. Easter lilies should be kept apart from other lily plantings as they are notorious virus-carriers.
Asiatic lilies have straight stems and many brightly colored blossoms ranging from the softest pastels to fiery reds and oranges. They grow 2 to 3 feet tall and bloom over a long season. Most Asiatic lilies are unscented. They prefer cool temperatures and grow best in the Upstate.
Oriental lilies have large, ornate flowers, usually in white, pink, rose or red with intense fragrance. Cultivars vary from 18 inches to 6 feet tall. They are the most popular cut flowers and garden perennials, and include varieties like the very fragrant long-bloomer "Stargazer” and “Casa Blanca”.
Trumpet lilies are tall (up to 6'), with large, fragrant flowers in midsummer. They are colored white, gold, pink, apricot or yellow. They prefer cool temperatures and grow best in cool-summer climates.
Tiger Lilies (Lilium lancifolium) grow happily in Zones 3-9 in colors of spotted white, yellow, orange and red. They should be kept apart from other lilies since they can be carriers of viruses.
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