Beauty from Bulbs
General Lily Care
Everyone loves lilies. With large, showy blooms, lilies add striking elegance to the yard and garden from early to midsummer. Grown from bulbs, lilies are perennial flowers that will return year after year and require minimal care, provided that you plant them in the right place. PLANTING: WHEN TO PLANT LILIES Plant lily bulbs in the fall, a few weeks before the winter brings freezing temperatures. Bulbs planted in the autumn will have well established roots in the spring. The bulbs benefit from a winter chill to produce big blooms. We do advise planting in spring in areas with particularly harsh winters. Container-grown lily plants can be planted anytime during the summer. Buy the bulbs close to planting time. You don’t want to buy the bulbs in the fall and wait until spring to plant them. HOW TO PLANT LILIES Select a site with soil that drains well. How can you tell? After a good rain, find a spot that is the first to dry out. Water
trapped beneath the overlapping scales on the lily bulb may cause rot, so a welldrained site is essential. Lilies need lots of sun. For dependable blooms, lilies need 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day. If it’s too shady, the stems will attempt to lean towards the sun or get spindly and fall over. Space bulbs at a distance equal to three times the bulb’s diameter (usually about 8 to 18 inches apart, depending on the variety). For a good effect, plant lilies in groups of 3 to 5 bulbs. Water thoroughly. CARE: HOW TO CARE FOR LILIES During active growth, water freely—especially if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week. Keep lilies mulched so that their roots are cool. The mulch should feel moist, but not wet. Read more about mulching. Apply a high-potassium liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks from planting until 6 weeks after flowering. Apply a thin layer of compost each spring, followed by a 2-inch layer of mulch. Stake tall lilies.
Lilies do not bloom more than once per season, but you can remove the faded flowers so that the plants don’t waste energy making seeds. After the lily blooms, you can also remove just the stem itself. However, do NOT remove leaves until they have died down and turned brown in fall. It’s very important not to cut back the leaves until the end of their season because hey help provide nourishment to the bulb for next season’s blooms. Cut down the dead stalks in the late fall or early spring. Before winter, add 4 to 6 inches of mulch, simply to delay the ground freeze and allow the roots to keep growing. Leave the mulch until spring once the last hard frost has passed. See your local frost dates. See your local frost dates.
Beauty from Bulbs Lilies Edition
Broken Heart Lily
Broken Heart is a highly and sweetly scented, pollen-free Double Oriental Lily that was one of the first of this popular variety introduced to Harts Nursery. This superb lily will grow to 70cm but may grow taller once more established over the years. It will produce striking pink, double blooms of up to 12cm in diameter. This variety will flower a little later than other lily types, typically towards the end of July. Double Oriental Lily Bulbs should be planted as soon as possible. Ideally in the Spring but can be planted up until the Autumn. Find a location with partial sun/shade with well-drained soil. It is best to check the type of soil you have as different lily varieties like different soils as Double Oriental Lilies mainly like Acidic/Ericaceous soils. Arrange the Lilies in an odd-number grouping. If planting in the garden, plant the bulbs about 5-8” apart. Space the groupings at least 3 feet apart. If planting in pots, plant 3 bulbs in a 10-14” ‘patio type’ pot using good-quality, multi-purpose compost. Plant the bulbs with 4-6” of soil above them. Reaching a height of 3 to 4 feet
Beauty from Bulbs Lilies Edition
Easter Lily
Easter Lilies are white, trumpet-shaped flowers that have become increasingly popular for their attractive blooms and wonderful fragrance. Native to the southern islands of Japan, 95 percent of Easter Lilies now come from an area along the border of California and Oregon. They can grow up to three feet tall and blossom from April to June, which makes them perfect for the Easter holiday. Step 1: Unwrap your plant immediately once you get home. The decorative packaging they often come in can waterlog the plant causing the roots to rot or deteriorate. Step 2: Remove the anthers. The anthers are the tall stems that grow from the center of the bloom. Removal can prolong the life of the flower and prevent pollen from staining the pristine white petals. Step 3: Find a bright spot for it to grow. Avoid any areas of your home with too much direct sunlight as this is sure to shorten their lifespan. Step 4: Keep it cool. Be sure your plant is protected from any heat sources or vents and try to keep your home between 60°F and 68°F. Step 5: Water when the soil is dry to touch. Avoid over-watering or letting it sit in water but do not let it stay dry for a prolonged period of time either. Step 6: Remove any fading flowers. Pruning any withering petals will help promote new growth.
Stargazer Lily
With a diameter of 6 inches or more, they are exceedingly showy blossoms—there is nothing subtle about Stargazers. Tall enough for planting in the middle or back row of a flower bed, Stargazer lily plants can serve as focal points, as they are sure to catch the viewer’s eye with large flowers bearing vibrant colors. Tall as they are, they nonetheless generally do not require staking and among the easiest of lilies to grow. Stargazers make excellent cut flowers, and they are attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators.Plant Stargazer lily bulbs in either spring or fall, 6 to 8 inches deep in the ground. Planting in groups of three or five bulbs gives a pleasing look in the garden. These tall, slender plants should be spaced 8 to 12 inches apart, as stargazer lilies bloom in clusters (often with six or more in a cluster). They will do well in most soils— other than constantly wet, clay soil that may cause the bulbs to rot. Mulch over the base of the plants to keep the soil moist and cool. Unlike many tall plants, Stargazers have sturdy stems that generally don’t require staking. Stargazers do best in full sun (8 hours per day) but will tolerate part shade. Oriental lilies such as Stargazers do well in any medium soil with average moisture. They prefer slightly acidic soils but grow fine in neutral soils. Feeding with an acid fertilizer helps them thrive in neutral or alkaline soils. These plants require about 1 inch of water per week through rainfall and/ or irrigation. Watering is best done by soaking the soil to a depth of 6 inches; do not water overhead, which can damage the blossoms. Mulching will help the soil remain moist. Maximum bloom is achieved in midsummer conditions where temperatures consistently reach 80 to 90 degrees F., such as is common in hardiness zones 8 and 9.
Beauty from Bulbs Lilies Edition
Golden-Rayed Lily
Noted for its spicy-sweet fragrance and vast flowers, Lilium auratum (Gold Band Lily) features huge, bowl-shaped, white blooms, 10 in. across (25 cm), adorned with a broad central gold band and a few crimson freckles. One sturdy stem may bear up to 12 to 14 splendid blossoms. Growing up to 3-4 feet tall (90-120 cm) on rigid, leafy stems, it performs best in full sun and is not fussy about soils, provided they are well-drained. Good moisture is required and dry soils should be avoided! Tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates. Plant in spring or fall. Plant in groups of 3 bulbs at a minimum for a striking display! When flowering is over, cut back leaves and stems after they turn yellow. Toxic to cats (though not for dogs or any known species) Plant your bulbs in spring or fall. Loosen the soil to a depth of 12-15 inches (30-37 cm). Deep planting is important as it will help stabilize your lily and potentially eliminate the need for staking. Mix in a 2-4 in. layer of compost (5-10 cm). Dig a hole about 6 in. deep (15 cm) and set the lilies with the roots facing downwards. Cover the lilies with a layer of soil, press down firmly and water thoroughly. Space your lily bulbs at a distance of 8 - 18 in. (3 times the bulb’s diameter).
Tiger Lily
Like many flowers, they prefer to be grown in a sunny location. However, these tough specimens are not nearly as fussy about growing conditions as are many plants; for example, they will tolerate partial shade. As bulbed plants, they require well-drained soil. If the soil is too moist, the bulb can rot. To ensure proper drainage, you may need to amend the soil, which means adding compost or humus. Peat moss, sand, or straw mixed into the beds are other ways to improve drainage and retain appropriate moisture. As tall, skinny plants, you may need to stake them. But the trade-off is that their height makes them effective in the back row of a flower bed. Tiger lilies have just average water needs. After the plants are established, they are somewhat drought tolerant. They often thrive with existing rainfall. Tiger lilies are poisonous to cats. Even small ingestion such as less than one to two petals or leaves, pollen, or water from the vase may result in severe, acute kidney failure. If you suspect your cat has ingested any part of one of these lilies, bring your cat (and the plant) immediately to a veterinarian for medical care. Generally, the sooner treatment is started, the better the prognosis.
Leichtlins’ Lily
Lilium leichtlinii is amazingly decorative and quite prolific as mature bulbs can produce up to 20 blossoms per stem. This Lily variety is not fragrant. Blooming in early - mid summer, Lilium leichtlinii comes back year after year and constitutes an excellent border plant, providing striking color and contrast. Growing up to 3-4 feet tall (90-120 cm), this Lily performs best in full sun or part shade and is not fussy about soils, provided they are rich in humus and well-drained. Good moisture is required and dry soils should be avoided. Plant in spring or fall. Plant in groups of 3 bulbs at a minimum for a striking display! When flowering is over, cut back leaves and stems after they turn yellow. Toxic to cats (though not for dogs or any known species)
Beauty from Bulbs Lilies Edition
Black Out (Asiatic Lily)
Lilium ‘Black Out’ is a fascinating Asiatic Lily with large, dark carmine red, upward-facing flowers with an even darker red-to-black shading in the center of each petal. One of the darkest red lilies, it produces clusters of 4-5 blossoms per stem which look fabulous when combined with yellow or creamy colors. Blooming in early - mid summer, this Lily constitutes an excellent border plant, providing striking color and contrast to the perennial border and mixes beautifully with annuals and other summer flowering bulbs. It is well suited to containers and the cutting garden as it makes excellent fresh cut flowers. Plant in groups of 3, 6 or 12 bulbs for a striking display! Growing up to 2-3 feet tall (60-90 cm) on slender stems clad with lanceolate, dark green leaves, it performs best in full sun or part shade and is not fussy about soils, provided they are well-drained. Good moisture is required and dry soils should be avoided! When flowering is over, cut back leaves and stems after they turn yellow. This plant may self-seed. Plant in fall or early spring in the garden. Potted plants may be planted any time between spring and fall.
Beauty from Bulbs Lilies Edition
Leichtlins’ Lily
Lilium ‘Matrix’ is a fantastic, dwarf lily with fiery red flowers with deep orange throat. The flowers are large and extremely numerous on one stem which is usually about 30 cm tall. Though lilies look like they’d be fussy plants, they are actually very easy to grow. They’re not particular about soil type or pH and they grow well in full sun, part sun, dappled shade and even light shade. Plant lilies as soon as you get them, either in the fall or the spring. Because the bulbs lack the papery covering (known as a “tunic”) that is common to other hardy bulbs, they can dry out quickly in storage. Even more than other bulbs, lilies demand well-drained soil. Dig the spot where you plan to plant lilies to a depth of at least 12 inches (30 cm), remove rocks and add organic matter, such as leaf mold or peat moss to improve both the soil’s structure and drainage. Like other bulbs, lilies appreciate a little bone meal scratched in at the bottom of the planting hole, but do not really require other fertilizers at planting time. Instead, wait until the bulbs send up green leaves and then sprinkle a complete organic fertilizer around the plant and water it
Beauty from Bulbs Lilies Edition