Today’s Garden Ideas

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Oriental Lilies are the most beautiful and exotic of flowers. The flowers come in bowl and star shapes. Growing up to 5 feet tall, these colorful blooms have a wonderful spicy aroma. Oriental Lilies bloom in summer and the flowers can be up to 9 inches across.

Oriental Lilies range in color from pure white to fuchsia and come

in a myriad of colorful patterns from striped to spotted. For example, Golden Dynasty has pure white petals with gold streaks and red spots. Antonia is a lovely little Oriental Lily in pale pink with yellow throats. Gigi is very dramatic with its fuchsia streaked petals and a very spicy aroma.

Planting Locations

Because their appearance is so dramatic, Oriental Lilies look best as the star of the garden. You want to be sure you do not plant them in an area where they will overshadow another plant. Try using Oriental Lilies in a sunny cut-flower garden. Platyphyllum is a great choice. It is a white bowl-shaped bloom with streaks of gold and red spots. Or use Oriental Lilies in a perennial border. The 5 foot tall Blushing Pink Oriental Lily has a wonderful fragrance and is a great background to shorter plants. Oriental Lilies can even be grown in containers. Try planting San Souci in a pot. With its 2-foot tall white blooms it will look beautiful gracing any patio. Little Pink is a dwarf Oriental Lily also suitable to containers. Its subtle scent wafting over your terrace adds a nice touch to outdoor gatherings.

Plant Buddies

If you choose the right Oriental Lilies they will complement other flowers. Try planting about 5 Casa Blanca Oriental Lilies surrounded by pink or lavender Petunias. The Lily’s stunning 10-inch wide pure white blooms will shine against the pastel shades of the Petunias. Or use the deep green leaves of dwarf Rhododendrons as a backdrop for pure white Olivia Oriental Lilies. These Lilies also have bright red centers and really stand out against the dark green foliage.

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Purchasing & Planting

When purchasing Oriental Lily bulbs buy firm, plump bulbs in fall or spring. Do not purchase bulbs that are soft or moldy. Avoid bulbs with new growth.

Before planting soak Oriental Lily bulbs in a vitamin solution and water for 2 hours. Dig holes that are three times as deep as the bulbs height. Mix a small handful of bone meal with the soil from the holes. Line the bottom of the hole with about 2 inches of this mixture. Place the bulbs, pointed end up, at the bottom of the hole. Be sure to spread the roots. The tips of the bulbs should be 3-4 inches below ground. Cover holes and firm down soil. Water well and mulch with 3-4 inches of Pine needles. As Oriental Lilies grow stake them to protect from strong wind. Make sure the stakes do not pierce the bulbs. Some Oriental Lilies form small bulbs between the leaves and stem. When these mature and fall off, plant them.

Growing Tips

Oriental Lilies love full sun as it helps the blooms keep their color. The soil should be well drained and not soggy. If you plan on cutting your Oriental Lilies for arrangements snip off only 1/3rd of the stem or you will weaken the bulbs. Place your cut Lilies in cool water for several hours to help the blooms last.

A fungus called Botrytis blight can attack Oriental Lilies. This disease attacks the leaves leaving orange circles that grow together and kill the foliage. Remove and destroy infected growth. Spray weekly with a copper fungicide.

Seasonal Care

For seasonal care begin in either fall or spring. Plant Oriental Lilies bulbs as soon as you purchase them. If you cannot plant immediately store them in a plastic bag in a refrigerator or basement at 34-40 degrees F. In early spring use an all-purpose organic fertilizer like blood or bone meal when the Lily stems emerge. Fertilize again just before the flowers bloom. In summer mulch with Oak leaves or Pine needles to keep the roots cool and help control weeds. Water Lilies well.

Quick Facts

Oriental Lilies grow in all zones. They prefer full sun or light-shade and well-drained soil. Oriental Lilies can spread up to 24 inches wide and 5 feet tall. Oriental Lilies are easy to grow, very fragrant, and good for cut flowers. They bloom in the summer. With their exotic patterns and rainbow of colors Oriental Lilies are the Diva of the garden.

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