LILIES

Classifications

ASIATIC   LILIES

Here at Vermont Flower Farm, Asiatic lilies start blooming around the 4th of July. That's easy for us to remember and makes for a welcome sight!  In southern Vermont and along Lake Champlain they are a week earlier; to our north, about a week later.  Further south into Massachusetts and Connecticut, mid-June often finds the Asiatics well into bloom.

 Pixies bloom first, with other Asiatics to follow. Pixies were originally developed for the cut flower industry. They are shorter stemmed (14"-20") with a good bud count of smaller flowers. They grow quickly, are dependable and inexpensive. One point of confusion is the name, pixie. Most of these smaller Asiatic lilies  are never registered and generic names are assigned. Lately we've seen mail order catalogs naming them "little elfs", "little dwarfs" and "mini-something-or-others". This is just more marketing noise. In the garden they are great border plants that also work well accompanying other plants potted for the deck or patio. As example, they look very nice in a large pot with cascading blue lobelias and your favorite annuals. They are a good investment if you do not mind splitting  and replanting every few years.  In good soil, one stem this year may well be 3 next year and a big clump the following year.

Asiatics are the hardiest of lilies, dependably surviving Zone 3. They range in height from 22"-48". Most are not fragrant but the wide range of colors encourages gardeners and visitors to try to locate some fragrance. Most often this only results in brown speckled noses and a few smiles.

Asiatics multiply well in compost rich soil with good drainage. Once established, some varieties will bloom for a month. Continuous lily bloom into September here in New England can be achieved by combining lilies from the various classes. The bulb industry continues to give us plenty of lily heights and colors to work with.

L.A.  HYBRIDS:  Longiflorum-Asiatic Lilies

We have offered these outstanding, "must try"  lilies for over five years now although they have been on the market  longer. We wanted to be sure they could handle the Zone 3 part of Marshfield winters that creeps to -30 degrees once in a while. They haven't been bothered by the low temperatures or the mid winter thaws that concern us. We have read reports that they can accommodate the other end of the temperature spectrum and fare well further south than many  lilies.

L.A. hybrids are a cross between Longiflorums, such as the famous Easter Lily, and Asiatic lilies. With hundreds and hundreds of Asiatic lilies available, the number of potential crosses is tremendous. These are tall lilies with thick stems, large flowers, and mild to limited fragrance. Even in heavy rains the petals hold up well and pollen stain doesn't appear to be as noticeable. The colors are more subdued but nonetheless work well with perennials. Bulb production is incredible and  surprising clumps develop from one year to the next.

ORIENTALS,   ORIENPETS,  and TRUMPETS:  Lilies of fragrance!

This group of lilies represents some of the most spectacular flowers available for  gardeners and they really please us here in Vermont. New gardeners may associate them with the Stargazer lily often seen in wedding bouquets and floral arrangements but there are hundreds of these beautiful lilies available now. They are perfect because they extend the bloom period from July into September. Heights range from 18 inches to (Yes!!!) 9 feet.

We're often asked,  "What is the difference between Asiatic and Oriental lilies?" "What is the difference between a lily and a daylily?"  In general terms,  Orientals, Orienpets (Oriental and Trumpet crosses) and Trumpets  are bulbs, have consistently larger blooms (5"-10" in diameter) and  thicker and less permeable leaves than Asiatic lilies. Each has it's own fragrance from pleasantly mild to sometimes strong and almost overpowering, especially in a close environment. The size, petal texture, and number of blooms provide long periods of enjoyment. The enormity of this performance requires lots of energy and as such these beauties are much slower to put up additional stems than their Asiatic counterparts. 

In contrast, daylilies are dependable perennials which grow by fibrous roots radiating from a stem crown.  As the name implies, each daylily flower lasts about one day. Each plant blooms over a period of time so a number of blooms are open at any given time. How long a daylily blooms depends upon the variety as well as soil, placement and climatic  conditions.

Orientals and other large flowered lilies will accept partial shade and are more resistant to insects and fungal problems. Because they multiply slower and consequently will not outgrow their area very fast, it's best to plant them with more permanence in mind.  If you do decide to divide or move them, remember that lilies have contractile roots. The bulb actually pulls itself deeper into the soil until it reaches a level appropriate to its moisture and nutritional needs.  Use care so you do not damage the bulb while trying to locate it.

To us, one of the greatest hybridizing advances in recent years involves combinations reached by crossing Oriental lilies with Trumpets and similar lilies. The results are spectacular lilies names Orienpets. They are stronger than ever, with thick stems, good height and great defense against insects and disease. They are fairly new to the market and being slower to multiply, some are in limited supply and still a bit more expensive. Once you see these, you'll really want to add them to your collection.

Sometimes visitors will see a potted lily ready for sale with a sign that says 5 feet, 6 feet or maybe 7 fee tall. Will I have to stake it?, they ask. Planting conditions influence the answer to this questions but generally lily stems strengthen as they mature. As they move back and forth in the wind, cell development seems to compensate for external forces and most lilies stand proudly by themselves. The occasional exceptions are the trumpet lilies. They have several thick petaled blooms on each stem. When heavy rains arrive, water droplets seem to provide just enough extra weight to point the stems downward. When you come visit us, consider how the various lilies are planted and then compare to your own site.  If you haven't tried lilies yet, we know there's a place in your garden.......................Try some!

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