Five beautiful Lilies choices for your Vibrant Garden- Flower Bulbs

Lilium, (members of which are true lilies), botanically, is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants growing from bulbs, all with large prominent vibrant flowers. Nowadays, there are plenty of modern hybrid varieties of lilies that offer color, elegance, fragrance, and a whole lot of style to today’s Instaworthy landscapes. Lilies, one of the most beloved bulbs for the summer garden, burst in with blossoms at an interlude when most flowers are in a holding pattern. Offering subtle scents, strong stems, and substantial petals, lilies are a pleasure to aesthetics.

Here are 5 favorite types of lilies, and read on why these glorious blooms deserve a prominent place in every garden.

Growing Lilies-These summer-flowering bulbs are classified by botanists into 9 different divisions based on their genetics and hybridization. Putting this large family of plants into categories helps both professional horticulturists and home gardeners know what the flowers of a particular variety of lily look like, when they bloom, and what conditions they prosper.

Popular Lily types: You can have lilies blooming in your garden all summer long by growing several different varieties:

1. Asiatic lilies –

Asiatic hybrids are bred from several different species of lilies. They have 3 to 6 flowers per stem, Asiatic lilies do not have a fragrance, and their flowers tend to be smaller than some other types of lilies. They come in many different colors, including shades of orange, red, yellow, pink and creamy white. These are widely used in flower settings and Asiatic make wonderful, long-lasting cut flowers.

2. Oriental lilies- 

Oriental lilies are among the most fragrant ones. The heady perfume produced by flowers is particularly strong in the evening. It has broader leaves than some other varieties of lilies. A fun fact – The anthers of Oriental lilies produce a lot of heavy pollen. If used as a cut flower, pull off the anthers as the bloom opens to keep the pollen from staining furniture. Oriental lilies come in various shades of pink and purplish red, in addition to white and creamy yellow. Orientals Lilies grow 2 to 5 feet tall.

3. Trumpet lilies-

Popularly known as Aurelian lilies, these hybrid lilies are best described as incredible. Prolific, trumpet-shaped, cheerful flowers are long-lasting and highly fragrant. Their petals lack spots and the leaves are broad, though not as broad as the leaves of an Oriental lily.
Trumpet lilies come in various shades of white, yellow, orange, cream, and pink, often with a star-shaped throat in a contrasting color. One of the most popular varieties of trumpet lily is an orange one named African Queen.

4. Orienpet lilies-

One of the best types of lilies for summer gardens, Orienpet lilies is a cross between Oriental hybrids and trumpet lilies. Their blooms have a shallow trumpet shape before they fully open into a broad bloom. The flowers are 6 to 10 inches across, and they come in different shades of pink, yellow, red, orange, and white. There are some truly impressive selections of these lilies. Orienpets make scintillating cut flowers. My personal favorite amongst all the lilies

5. Longiflorum lilies-

Also known as Easter lilies, are several different cultivars of this lily, they all have a classic Easter lily appearance. The flowers are white and outward facing with a trumpet-like shape. Reaching 1 to 3 feet in height, Longiflorium lilies are forced to bloom out of season and in time for Easter by exposing the bulbs to very precise conditions to initiate a perfectly timed bloom.

They are also known as a holiday plant and surprisingly they can survive in extremely cold conditions.

Buying different types of lilies for planting

Lilies essentially grow from true bulbs. Each true lily bulb is made of layered scales. The flower stalk is produced from the center of the bulb, and the roots emerge from a disk found on the bottom of the bulb. Lilies bulbs are found in a local garden center or you can go to the nursery and ask for it or else you can select it from the online bulb specialty catalogs which tend to offer more types of lilies than a nursery.

How to Plant Lilies?

Lily bulbs can be planted in spring, but getting them into the ground in autumn gives them a head start. Because they are stem rooters and the bulb category often anchors a heavy blossom load, it’s critical to sink it at least 8 to 10 inches from top of the bulb to top of the soil.

Essential Planting tips:
• Plant lilies in a raised bed to ensure proper drainage
• Lilies look best when planted in clusters of three to four or more bulbs
• In areas of high rainfall, plant lily bulbs on their side to prevent rotting

How to plant lily bulbs?

Ensure that root disk is facing down and the stem end is up. All types of lilies are best planted in well-draining garden soil. Lily bulbs rot if their location is too water-logged. Choose a spot that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun to keep lily stems tall and straight, regardless of which of the types of lilies you choose to grow. Plant the bulbs so their tops sit three inches beneath the surface of the soil. Water the bulbs in well, and add a one-inch-thick layer of shredded leaves or compost and castings.

Lily Aftercare

Once your lily plants begin to grow, they require very little care. Lilies love full sun, and six hours or more is essential. Lilies love to have their \”head in the sun and Drainage is imperative. Lilies would like to be planted in a raised bed so water drains away from the bulbs. Take precautions against voles and other pests.

Lastly, Are Lilies poisonous for some?

The answer to this question is yes! It can be poisonous but only for the cats. Many lilies are highly toxic to cats, causing acute kidney failure if consumed. All parts of the plant are poisonous particularly leaves and many veterinarians recommend never bringing them into a home with cats.

Lovely Lilies are the most humble plants and indeed it manages to put a smile across all passerby\’s and surely a lovely fit for the gardens.

Happy Gardening!