Bulbs
lily , one of the most dear bulb for the summertime garden , burst in with kaboom blossoms at an intermezzo when most flowers are in a holding pattern . propose “ swoony ” odour , strong stems and significant petals , lilies are also workhorses as cut flowers .
On this page : Basics|Types of Lilies|How to Plant Lilies|Lily Care|Varieties of Lilies|Frequently Asked Questions
On this page :

BASICS
Zones:
Zones 5 to 8 are ideal for most lilies . Some are hardier , such asL. canadenseandL. cernuum , which will stomach the chill of Zone 3 , but often not the heat in region hot than Zone 6 or 7 . Easter lily , L. longiflorum , favor Zones 7 to 9 .
Exposure:
Lilies have sex full sun , and six hours or more is imperative . Lilies wish to have their " psyche in the sun , feet in the nuance . " To keep their base cool , plant them with low - growing annuals , perennial , or sens .
Soil:
Most lilies like a soil that ’s rich but not to a fault beefy , though the Orienpet lilies are not fussy about food for thought and endure a leaner dieting . Drainage is the decisive return . give their preference , lilies would like to be institute in a shoulder or get up bed so water system enfeeble by from the bulbs . A pH of 5.5 to 6.5 wooing them well .
TYPES OF LILIES
There are many eccentric of lilies but these are some of the most common :
PLANTING LILY BULBS
Lily bulbs can be planted in spring , but getting them into the land in fall gives them a head offset . Because they are root sports fan and the light bulb often anchors a heavy blossom incumbrance , it ’s decisive to lapse it at least 8 to 10 inches from top of bulb to top of soil . In regions where temperature skyrocket above 90 degree F on a daily foundation , sink the bulbs an extra 4 inches or so deeper .
Planting confidential information :
For more info about planting and storing bulbs , seeBulbs 101

LILY CARE
Take precautions against voles and other blighter , especially in wintertime . And deer bite the stem . worm are also a peril . In early springiness , when lily first emerge , begin lily beetle patrol . They ’re undimmed red and easy to blemish . just remove them before they reproduce and play havoc .
back your lilies before the blossoms commence to weigh down the root , making certain not to stake the bulb .
Do n’t hesitate to rationalise your lilies for bouquets — but remove only 1/3 of the stem . Lilies use their foliage to replenish the bulbs for next yr ’s blooms . When cut lilies , remove the anthers before bringing them indoors , as they can stain habiliment and tablecloth .

After blossom , the flower stem can be cut back but allow the foliage until it brown and conk back to the ground totally . Bulbs conglomerate vim for next yr through the leaves .
LILY VARIETIES
pic by : Carrie Critchley .
1 . ‘ Stargazer ’
cross in the 1970s , ‘ Stargazer ’ is one of the most popular lily in modern story . Featuring upward - facing , vivacious pinkish spot peak up to 8 ” widely , this fragrant lily performs well in the garden and pee a good cut flush . ‘ Stargazer ’ is an Oriental lily that does n’t need staking and can be grow in containers . As a bonus , it will draw in butterflies and hummingbirds .

Photo by : Rob Cardillo .
2 . ' TOUCHING '
Wedding an Oriental and a Trumpet ( OT or Orienpet intercrossed ) lily in 2002 , the bad - blooming , unfastened - faced mantrap ‘ impact ’ was born , with a compact size and changing background shades starting with a creamy - white-livered launching , evolve into a whiter shadowiness of picket . Each wide petal is also streaked with peachy pink . Strong ascendent anchor the works , and the flower linger long in prime condition .
3 . ‘ PINK TWINKLE ’
When Dutch garden designer Jacqueline van der Kloet needed a lily to span the summertime months at the New York Botanical Garden ’s Seasonal Walk , she headed straight for ‘ Pink Twinkle ’ . This 3- to 4 - foot , shine coral - pinkish bloomer scarcely ceases its bloom stint throughout summer . With freckle blossoms that triple the sizing of its tiger lily parents and look you straight in the eye rather than bowing their head , ‘ Pink Twinkle ’ can waltz with pink as well as orangish companion flowers .
4 . ORANGE ART ®
When Dutch breeders turned their hands to lilies , they sound straight for the pizzazz and have been mixing suffused colors and essential traits ever since . Fifteen years ago , Mak Breeding started its foray into the Tango Lily series of Asiatic lily , with a signature central “ face ” of contrasting subtlety . Recently introduced , Orange Art ® does the series majestic with its nearly atomic number 10 , pumpkin - orange blossom and densely packed shiny black dots toward the bull’s - eye .
5 . ' YELLOWEEN '
The first gamboge - color Orienpet cross to jolt the lily human race , ‘ Yelloween ’ was innovate in 2001 with seismic reverberations . This sunny - hue bloomer with lime nervure still holds the championship title for its coloring . Economically , it offer several virtues that switch off - flower growers adore — the upturned flowers and a willingness to perform at cooler temperatures than most lily ( which saves on greenhouse heating costs ) . As Arie Alders of Mak Breeding tell , “ Some hail , some go , but this lily endures . ”
6 . CORAL LILY
In its native Siberia , China and Korea , genus Lilium pumilumweaves discretely through the grassland . But when infuse into the garden , its fiery color flicker , with an orange that verges on saffron crocus . Standing about 1½ metrical unit tall , this is one of the more demure lilies . The fact that the bulbs themselves are small make it well-off to nestle them in natural planting . Bulb expert Anna Pavord recommends edit the cum head to allow for as much of the plant ’s strength as possible to return to the bulbs .
7 . TIGER LILY
Legend has it thatLilium lancifoliumsprang from the friendship between a troglodyte and a wounded tiger . When the tiger died , the hermit transformed his booster ’s body into a lily . When the troglodyte passed , the flower diffuse over the Earth looking for its companion . Among the easiest lilies for naturalizing and promptly visible from a aloofness , this metal money has magniloquent ( staking is imperative ) candelabra bearing a constellation of lucent orangeness , speckled , nodding blossoms with recurved petals .
8 . MARTAGON LILY
When a lily flower is line as a Turk’s - cap type , it ’s the back - flung flower petal and the form of the bloom that the full term describes , and lilies of several divisions apportion the trait . Martagon lily are more often than not some of the easiest and hardiest to host . Although the flowers are relatively small , martagons go for quantity . In the compositor’s case ofLilium martagonvar.album , spires with two - twelve or more effervescent white flower step by step open in a long , choreographed display .
9 . ' SCHEHERAZADE '
The creation of Judith Freeman , an American breeder from the West Coast , ‘ Scheherazade ’ is a classic Orienpet hybrid and the love kid between ‘ bolt of lightning ’ and ‘ Black Beauty ’ . This towering lily can abide 8 foot tall and contain a peak load of 40 sizable flowers per bow . blossom can seem to be edged with blank or gilt with bright - rose wine markings darken to Burgundy wine . Although the flowers are dispersed , the spires need stake .
10 . ' DIMENSION '
Ten twelvemonth ago , Mak Breeding ’s holy grail was to accomplish an Asian lily that verged on inkiness . Still debate the darkest maroon on the grocery store , ‘ attribute ’ is a thick , sultry tad of burgundy right down to the stamen and pistil . The petal are loggerheaded and waxy with the shininess of silk , and each flower is edged in red ink . Not only is ‘ Dimension ’ a slap-up cut prime due to the shipability of the upturned blossom , it ’s a unattackable garden contender as well .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the difference between Asiatic and Oriental lilies?
Asiatics , which bloom in former summer , are well sleep with for their exceptionally tolerant scope of colors , as well as baseless patterns , skirmish marks , patch and double blooms . Orientals , which bloom in late summer , are best known for their heavy , heavily odoriferous flowers .
Which lilies are most fragrant?
The most fragrant lilies are Orientals , Orienpets and Trumpets , while Asiatic lilies are unscented . Some gardeners depict Orientals as having a spicy scent , whereas trumpet pass off a sweet perfume , and Orienpets offer a pleasant , light scent ( good if you have a raw olfactory organ ) .
Which lilies grow in shade?
Lilies flower best in full sun , but many gardeners receive that they will also tolerate some shade . Species lilies , those to begin with institute in the wild , are a good choice for light shade . Turk’s-cap lily can also handle more wraith than other lily types .
Are lilies poisonous?
Many lily are extremely toxic to cats , causing sharp kidney unsuccessful person if feed . All portion of the plant are poisonous and many veterinarians recommend never bringing them into a menage with cats . Use caution with Easter lilies and opt for flowered arrangements without lilies . See moreCommon Poisonous Plants for Dogs and Cats .
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