The lily (Lilium spp.) is a bulb plant that produces what are considered some of the gardening world’s most beautiful and beloved flowers. Lilies vary in height and blooming time, depending on their variety, but almost all are hardy in U.S. Department of Agricultural plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. Gardeners can plant lilies in either spring or fall. Because the bulbs are never completely dormant, keep them in a cool place and plant them as soon as possible after you receive them from a grower.
Of all the lily types, the Asiatic hybrids are the easiest for home gardeners to grow. With blooms beginning early in summer, these hardy bulbs send up 2- to 3-foot tall stalks. Most have upward-facing flowers that are available in a huge range of color choices. Gardeners' favorites include the brilliant orange “Enchantment” (Lilium “Enchantment”), bright yellow “Connecticut King” (Lilium “Connecticut King”) and vivid-red “Scarlet Emperor” (Lilium “Scarlet Emperor”). Asiatic lilies are not fussy about soil, thriving almost anywhere exposed to full sun.
Trumpet or Aurelian lilies catch the eye with their large, bell-shaped flowers and regal appearance. They have the added benefit of a sweet scent. Trumpet lilies bloom in mid-summer, slightly later in the season than Asiatic lilies. Their height makes them a good choice for the back of a border. Because their immense flowers can weigh down the 4- to 5-foot stalks, staking these varieties may be necessary. Two popular cultivars are the aptly named “Regale” (Lilium “Regale”), with yellow-throated white flowers, and “Golden Splendor” (Lilium “Golden Splendor”), with buttery yellow flower petals bearing purple stripes on the outside.
Oriental lilies are more of a challenge to grow than Asiatic lilies, but gardeners find them worth the extra trouble because of their exotic-looking, extra-large blooms. They bloom later in the summer than the Asiatics, and their flowers are often intensely fragrant. Bulbs of oriental lilies require well-drained, somewhat acidic soil that is rich in organic material. Two popular orientals are “Star Gazer” (Lilium “Star Gazer”), a 2- to 3-foot tall lily with crimson flowers, and “Casa Blanca” (Lilium “Casa Blanca”), with stately 4- to 5-foot tall stalks topped with pure-white blooms.
Growers have created many cultivars by interbreeding various types of lilies. A cross of the oriental type with the trumpet type led to the oriental trumpet lily, sometimes called an orienpet or OT hybrid lily. Most grow 3 to 5 feet high and have a light, sweet fragrance. Oriental trumpet hybrids such as the crimson and white “Silk Road” (Lilium “Silk Road”) are used as garden specimens and are especially robust. Crossing Easter lilies (Lillium longiflorum) with Asiatic hybrid lilies led to the LA hybrid lilies, such as “Royal Sunset” (Lilium “Royal Sunset”), which features pink-tipped orange and yellow flowers. Early blooming, the 3- to 4-foot tall LA hybrids display bright, upward-facing flowers on sturdy stems, making them useful for flower bouquets.
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