Lilies Add Stately Elegance to Any Garden
by Jeanne Rose, UC Master Gardener

Once I admired a vase of yellow Asiatic lilies on a co-worker's desk and he remarked, "Yes, they are beautiful. These came from the Bay Area. Too bad they don't grow here". Well, his lament sent me scanning my bulb catalogs. I came across several lilies suited to our climate zone. Within a year I started growing both Asiatic and Oriental lilies in my own yard.

Lilies range in height from 1-9 feet and are the most varied of all bulb plants. Their stately growth form adds aristocratic elegance to the garden. About 1925 lily growers began a significant breeding program developing new hybrids of species from Asia, Europe, and North America. New strains were healthier, hardier, and easier-to-grow than the original species. New flower forms and colors were promoted. Best of all, they simplified methods for growing healthy lilies in large quantities.

LILY TYPES: There are several lily types available to Western gardeners in zones 1-9: the Asiatic hybrids (usually unscented), the Oriental hybrids (fragrant), and the Aurelian hybrids (unscented).

Asiatic hybrids are the earliest to bloom, the easiest to grow, and the most reliable for the average garden. Some have upward-facing flowers; others have horizontally facing or drooping blooms. Stems are strong and erect and range in height from 1½ to 4½ feet. The color range is white through yellow and orange to pink and red. Many have dark spots or contrasting bands of color.

Aurelian hybrids are derived from Asiatic species. Midsummer blooms are either trumpet or bowl-shaped and range in color from white and cream through yellow and pink. Many have green, brown, or purple shading on the outer surfaces. Plants are generally 3-6 feet tall with each stem bearing 12-20 flowers.

Oriental hybrids are the most exotic of all lilies. They bloom mid- to late summer with big, 9-inch flowers of white or pink. Many are spotted with gold and shaded or banded with red. Most are tall with nodding flowers; a few are dwarf with upward-facing flowers.

Orienpet hybrids are new and combine the best features of both Oriental and Trumpet lilies. The fragrant blooms measure 7-9 inches in diameter.

Species suitable for our area include the Gold Band, Madonna, Tiger (Lilium lancifolium), Easter, Regal, Turk's Cap, and Coral lilies. Some are available in bulb catalogs; others may only be available from a nursery or mail-order business specializing in lilies.

CUT FLOWERS: Lilies make excellent floral arrangements. When cutting them, leave at least one-third of the foliage on the plant to provide energy for the next season's growth. Lily pollen quickly discolors the bloom and produces hard-to-remove stains so use care to avoid getting it on your skin, clothing, or table cloth. It's easy to remove the stamens when cutting lilies and avoid the pollen altogether.

PLANTING TIPS: Lily planting depths vary according to the size and rooting habit of the bulb. In general, cover smaller bulbs with 2-3 inches of soil and larger ones with 4-6 inches. It is better to plant shallow than too deep because lily bulbs have contractile roots which draw them down to the proper depth.

Ideal spacing is 1 foot apart to provide good air circulation, but they can be planted closer. Once in the ground, they can be left undisturbed for 3-5 years or longer. Some lilies form small bulblets near the soil surface, while others form tiny bulbils in upper leaf axils. Both can be removed and planted and will bloom in a few years.

Lilies are not fussy about soil and grow well in full sun, part sun, dappled shade, even light shade. They prefer evenly moist (not wet) soil and, since the bulbs are never completely dormant, should never be allowed to dry out. A layer of mulch helps prevent weeds and keeps roots cool and moist.

GOPHER SOLUTION: I learned from experience a few years ago that gophers really love lily bulbs. I watched in dismay as a gopher ate its way through my bulb bed, eliminating some varieties completely. If you have a gopher infestation and want to grow lilies, you may need to plant each bulb in a 6-inch square basket made of 1/2-inch hardware cloth. The depth of the basket will depend on the planting depth.

In spite of gophers, lilies add an aristocratic elegance to any garden. Why not grow some of these gorgeous, stately beauties in yours?

April 24, 2003