With a little planning and selection now, it is possible to have lilies flowering in the garden from late May to the first frost in fall.
The lovely Lilium speciosum is well known for its showy orchid-like blooms in late summer, but the early flowering lilies are not so well known and have been neglected.
Golden Wonder
In New England Garden, the first lily to flower opened on May 26. This was one of Jan de Graaff’s new hybrid lilies called Golden Wonder.
It is a vigorous, healthy grower of medium height (2 ½’ to 3′ feet) and has upright, wide, cup-shaped flowers of soft golden yellow.
Groups of two or three bulbs planted toward the front of the border give necessary splashes of color after tulips and other spring-flowering bulbs have passed.
Martagon Album
Next to bloom, after speciosum, was the Martagon album. The white martagon lily has been cultivated in Europe and England and is worth growing for its foliage alone.
The handsome symmetrical whorls of dark-green leaves are crowned in early summer with spikes of dainty, nodding wax-like flowers.
This lily likes a little shade and, although it takes two seasons to establish itself, is one of the most long-lived lilies. It makes a most attractive addition to the woodland or semi-wild garden.
Pumilum “Coral Lily”
On the last day of May, one of our favorite lilies opened its first flower— pumilum, the coral lily. A month later, after the Oriental poppies had flowered and gone, the coral lilies were still twinkling on the border.
It is an inexpensive, easily grown lily with slender two-foot stems bearing several nodding, bright vermilion-red flowers.
For the best effect, bulbs should be planted in fairly large groups.
Tabasco Lily
At the end of May, another of Jan de Graaff’s hybrids blossomed. This was one of the Mid-Century lilies named Tabasco, a dark deep red with darker spots. The flowers are large and open wide on three to four-foot stems.
Like other hybrids of the Mid-Century type, it is hardy and vigorous, does well in full sun, and is easy for the beginner.
Golden Chalice Hybrids
The Golden Chalice hybrids flower just a little later. These are a group with upright flowers in clear shades of yellow, gold, and apricot.
They, too, are hardy, drought-resistant, and require a minimum of care.
Planting Lilies in October
The time to plant lilies is in October. Buy your bulbs from an accredited dealer—this is the best advice anyone can give a beginner.
Unlike daffodils and tulips, lily bulbs are never really dormant and should never be allowed to dry out.
Reputable dealers will send bulbs soon after digging and pack them properly to guard against moisture loss.
If you must buy in a garden center or chain store, choose your bulbs carefully.
They should be packed in plastic bags and should be plump, firm, clean, and uninjured. Don’t buy them if they look dry, desiccated, spotted, or broken.
When you receive your lily bulbs, plant them immediately. If this is impossible, it is permissible to keep them in plastic bags in a cool place for a few days only—but plant them as soon as you can.
Choose a sunny, well-drained area, as the basic requirement for all lilies is good drainage. Lilies are surprisingly tolerant of the soil they are planted in, but good drainage is necessary.
Planting Depth For Bulbs
The planting depth for bulbs is about 4″ inches (except for the Madonna lily, which should be planted near the surface of the soil).
Some gardeners advocate a handful of sand underneath and around the bulb for better drainage.
During the growing season, lilies appreciate a good mulch of rich compost or peat and leaf mold.
While lilies make excellent cut flowers, they don’t allow the whole stem and foliage to be removed from the plant.
The stem and leaves are needed to strengthen the bulb for next year’s growth. For cutting purposes, the top third of the stem is sufficient.
However, removing the seed pods after the flowers fade is beneficial. In the fall, use your favorite mulch for winter protection.
Early Spring Flowering
The lilies suggested here have been selected for their early spring flowering, hardiness, ease of culture, and availability.
Next May and early June, when they brighten your garden with splashes of color, you will know the lure of the lily.
Images:
Enchantment lily is a vigorous, upright grower with vivid nasturtium-red flowers —readily propagated from scales, it is hardy and disease resistant
Golden Chalice, one of the de Graaff Mid-century hybrids, will add gay, bright tones to your spring garden
44659 by Norma Simoni