Lilies

It will soon be time for the earth to warm up, so we can think about planting flowers and bulbs in the ground! Some of my favorite summer bulbs are lilies, which bloom from late spring to early summer, depending on which variety you plant. They will grow in full sun, part sun or even dappled shade. Because they like good air circulation, it’s best to plant them about a foot apart. They make great cut flowers. They will multiply year after year, so at some point, you will want to separate them at the end of the season. Plant them back right after you dig them up; they needn’t be stored. Ensuring that lilies are fresh is crucial for their longevity and the beauty of floral arrangements.

Introduction to Beautiful Lilies

Beautiful flowers, such as lilies, are a popular choice for gardens and floral arrangements. With over 90 species, lilies are a diverse group of flowering plants that are native to the Northern Hemisphere. True lilies, like the Madonna lily (Lilium candidum) and the Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum), are known for their elegant, star-shaped blooms and fragrant petals. These stunning flowers are often associated with purity, innocence, and refined beauty, making them a popular choice for weddings, funerals, and other special occasions. Whether you’re looking to add some color and fragrance to your garden or create a stunning floral arrangement, lilies are an excellent choice.

Types of Lilies

here are several types of lilies to choose from, including Asiatic, Oriental, and Tiger lilies. Each type of lily has its own unique characteristics, such as bloom time, flower shape, and fragrance. For example, Asiatic lilies are known for their early bloom time and small, delicate flowers, while Oriental lilies are known for their large, fragrant blooms. Tiger lilies, on the other hand, are known for their exotic, spotted orange blooms and are a popular choice for gardeners who want a low-maintenance, easy-to-care-for lily. With so many types of lilies to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect one for your garden or floral arrangement.

Planting and Care

Planting and caring for lilies is relatively easy, as long as you provide them with the right conditions. Lilies prefer well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade, making them a great choice for gardens with a variety of conditions. To plant lilies, simply dig a hole that is twice as deep as the bulb and add a layer of compost or fertilizer to the soil. Water the lilies regularly, but make sure not to overwater, as this can cause the bulbs to rot. With proper care, lilies can thrive in a variety of conditions and provide beautiful, fragrant blooms for years to come.

Asiatic lilies bloom first. They come in numerous colors: red, peach, white, pink. They grow 2 to 3 feet high. Each stem has six to eight blooms.

Trumpet lilies bloom in mid-summer. They are large and quite fragrant. They grow three to six feet tall. Colors include white, pink and yellow.

Oriental lilies are the largest and most fragrant of all lilies. My next-door neighbors at my first place in Canonsburg said that, because of the prevalent wind direction,  they got advantage of most of the fragrance! They are pink, red, and white, and blossoms can be 5 to 6 inches across. There are even bicolor and double Orientals.  They grow 3 to 4 feet tall and bloom from mid to late summer.

Turban or Turk’s cap lilies all have recurved , downward-facing petals (like a turban!). Many have petals with black specks. They grow 2 to 3 feet high and bloom in mid summer. Orange is the most widely seen color, but they do come in red and pink.

Barbara Wittman Alsip was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, of German, Austrian and Prussian grandparents. Her father was a horticulturist, (Texas A&M, Class of 1919), and her mother was active in garden clubs and flower growing. She has two grown sons and two grandsons.

She received her BA and MA in French and Spanish from Texas Christian University and her PhD in French from Emory University. She taught at the university level for a number of years.

At her first home in western Pennsylvania, she had 165 trees, evergreens, flowering trees, perennials, herbs and annuals. She is looking forward to landscaping, with Bedner’s direction and help, at her new home.