Lilies (Lilium spp.) are timeless and elegant star-flowered perennials that bring bold colors, alluring fragrances, and architectural height to any garden!
These summer-flowering bulb beauties have captured gardeners' hearts for centuries and remain some of the most popular ornamental flowers today!
Whether you're looking for a statement flower for your borders, containers, or cut arrangements, Oriental, Asiatic, and Tiger Lilies offer stunning options to suit every garden style and bump up the landscape 'wow' factor!
Read on for everything you need to know about planting Lilies, caring for them, and keeping them flowering at their best!
- All About Lilies
- Meet The Lilies At NatureHills.com
- How To Enjoy Lilies In Your Garden
- Planting Lily Bulbs: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Caring For Lilies
- Timeless Beauty and Elegance!
All About Lilies
Lilies are among the oldest cultivated ornamentals! With records dating back to 1580 B.C. Known for their symbolic meanings in the Victorian language of flowers, Lilies represent purity, devotion, and beauty. With over 635 species in the Lilium genus and numerous hybrids available, these flowers come in an incredible variety of colors, sizes, and forms.
Typically having three petals and three (similar-looking) sepals, these star-shaped flowers stand on sturdy stems fringed in strappy short green foliage. The center of each flower has a prominent pistil surrounded by 6 stamens that can have colorful pollen. Be cautious when handling, as this pollen can stain clothing and skin.
Each bulb produces one stem. But these scaled bulbs form smaller bulbs on their sides growing into polite colonies and clumps over time. Each eventually produces its own stem and flowers which you can divide every few years.
Tiger Lilies even produce aerial bulbs called bulbils along the stems that look like little black balls. These bulbils can be planted in your garden and will root, becoming mature plants in time.
Meet The Lilies At NatureHills.com
Lilies are fantastic garden 'Stars'! While some plants named 'Lily' are True Lilies, others are not. Nature Hills has many Lily varieties to choose from. You will also find non-Lilium bulb plants like Lily of the Valley, Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus), and Spider/Nerine Lilies (Lycoris which are actually related to Amaryllis) available for you to enjoy with your true Lilies!
While Calla Lilies, Water Lilies, Canna Lilies, Lily of the Valley, Daylilies, Surprise Lilies, and Peruvian Lilies carry the Lily name, they are not True Lilies. However! Plants like Onions, Tulips, Fritillaries, Tulips, and Trillium are all in the Lily family!
Oriental Lilies
- Fragrance: Oriental Lilies are famed for their intoxicating, sweet scent that fills the summer air.
- Flowers: They produce large, star-shaped blooms in shades of white, pink, and red, often with speckles or ruffled edges. Many hybrids now have multiple layers of petals.
- Height: These tall growers can reach up to 4 feet, making them perfect for backdrops and dramatic focal points.
- Bloom Time: Late summer, offering a season-extending burst of color.
Asiatic Lilies
- Fragrance: Unlike Oriental Lilies, Asiatic Lilies are unscented, making them ideal for gardeners sensitive to strong fragrances.
- Flowers: Known for their bright, bold hues, these Lilies bloom in oranges, yellows, reds, and pinks. Shorter stout stems.
- Height: Slightly shorter, growing to about 2–3 feet tall, they're versatile for mixed borders and container gardens.
- Bloom Time: Early summer, often one of the first Lilies to bloom.
Tiger Lilies
- Fragrance: Lightly scented with a fresh, delicate aroma.
- Flowers: Recognizable by their downward-facing, orange blooms with dark freckles and backward-curving petals and sepals.
- Height: Reaches 3–5 feet, adding height and texture to gardens.
- Bloom Time: Midsummer, bridging the gap between Asiatic and Oriental Lily blooms.
Other True Lilies include Turk's-Cap, Easter, Trumpet, and many, many hybrids!
How To Enjoy Lilies In Your Garden
Lilies (Lilium spp.) are timeless and elegant perennials that bring bold colors, alluring fragrances, and architectural height to any garden. These summer-blooming beauties have captured gardeners' hearts for centuries and remain some of the most popular ornamental flowers today.
- Mixed Borders and Cottage Gardens: Add structure and height by planting taller Oriental and Tiger Lilies at the back of borders, while Asiatic Lilies create pops of color in the middle. These are must-haves for the Perennial garden!
- Cut Flower Gardens: Lilies are some of the best flowers for bouquets! lasting up to two weeks in a vase. Their fragrance and striking appearance make them a favorite for floral arrangements. Many Oriental Lilies, like the Stargazer, are incredibly fragrant!
- Pollinator Gardens: Lilies attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, enhancing the biodiversity of your garden.
- Container Gardens: Use shorter Asiatic Lilies or compact hybrids as mixed container accents, and taller Lilies as "thrillers" in pots. Complete the look by pairing Lilies with trailing and filler plants for a polished look.
- Mass Plantings: These low-maintenance perennials are a breeze to grow! Easily create dramatic displays by planting large groups of a single Lily variety or mixing multiple types for continuous blooms throughout summer.
Planting Lily Bulbs: A Step-by-Step Guide
Planting Lily scale bulbs is a straightforward process that ensures these show-stopping flowers thrive in your garden. These are summer-flowering spring-planted bulbs, however, container-grown Lilies can be planted in the fall as well.
Follow these simple steps to get your Lilies off to a strong start:
- Choose the Right Location
- Lilies thrive in full sun, needing at least 6–8 hours of sunlight daily. In hotter climates, a location with morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal.
- Ensure the planting site has well-drained soil to prevent bulb rot. Raised garden beds or berms are excellent options for areas with heavy or clay soil.
- Prepare the Soil
- Enrich the soil by incorporating organic matter such as compost or aged manure.
- Aim for slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0–6.5).
- Planting Depth and Spacing
- Dig holes that are 6–8 inches deep for most Lily bulbs, with the pointed end of the bulb facing upward.
- Space bulbs 8–12 inches apart, depending on the variety and their mature size. For a lush, full look, plant them in groups of three or more.
- Add Mulch
- Cover the planting area with a 2–3 inch layer of mulch to retain moisture, moderate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.
- Water Thoroughly
- After planting, water the area well to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets around the bulbs.
- Mark the Spot
- Use plant markers to remember where you've planted your bulbs, especially in beds with dormant perennials.
By planting your Lily bulbs properly in the fall or early spring, you'll set the stage for spectacular blooms that light up your garden year after year.
Caring For Lilies
These are nearly plant-it-and-forget-it perennials!
Watering
Water newly planted Lilies regularly to establish an extensive root system and do not let them dry out during their first summer in the ground. Use the Finger Test to check soil moisture and ensure they stay hydrated but not waterlogged.
Mulching
Maintain a 3–4 inch layer of arborist mulch to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the bulbs cool.
Deadheading and Pruning
Remove spent blooms to encourage more energy into the bulbs. Allow the foliage to die back naturally to feed the bulbs for next year's growth.
Staking and Support
Taller Oriental Lilies may need a bit of help in areas with strong winds and frequent storms. Keep yours from blowing over by securing it gently to a sturdy stake.
Winter Care
In zones where Lilies are hardy, leave the bulbs in the ground year-round and simply add a few inches of mulch and/or compost.
Lifting and Storing Lily Bulbs
For colder regions, lift the bulbs in fall as soon as the tops yellow but before a hard frost. Clean and dry them, and then store them in a cool, dry place until spring. Note that Lily bulbs do need chill time, either in a refrigerator or another cold, dark location that isn't freezing. Wrap your clean, dried bulbs in barely moist sawdust or newspaper and keep them in a well-ventilated container or crate.
Clump Division
Lilies will form dense colonies and clumps which can be divided and transplanted elsewhere in your garden or given to a friend. This increases the plant's vigor by giving them more room to spread and grow, and less competition for nutrients and water.
Timeless Beauty and Elegance!
Lilies are the epitome of timeless elegance! Whether you choose the bold Asiatic varieties, the fragrant Oriental blooms, or the striking Tiger Lilies, these easy-to-grow perennials will reward you with years of breathtaking displays.
Their versatility, low maintenance, and ability to return year after year make Lilies a favorite among gardeners of all skill levels!
Plant Lilies to create a garden filled with beauty and meaning, or bring their charm indoors in stunning arrangements. Start your Lily garden today with the help of Nature Hills Online Plant Nursery and experience the unmatched beauty these remarkable flowers bring to your life!
Happy Planting!
