What Kind Of Garden Lilies Need Should I Plant?

Lilies are a popular garden plant due to their beautiful blooms and fragrant scents. They can be grown in various ways, such as dormant bulbs or potted plants, in sunny areas with easy water drainage and organic compost mulching. The North American Lily Society offers nine horticultural divisions of lilies, which can help find suitable types for planting in your garden.

Asian lilies are best for beginners, as they are derived from several species and are easily grown in beds, containers, and cutting gardens. They are typically planted in spring or fall, depending on the variety. Lily care requirements include placing them in full sun or partial shade, in well-draining, fertile soil, and watering regularly.

Lilies are hardy and do not need to be staked, making them easy to grow. They have large, colorful flowers that can be used in beds, containers, and cutting gardens. Some lilies are hardier, like L. canadense and L. cernuum, which can tolerate the chill of Zone 3 but not the heat in regions hotter than Zone 6 or 7.

The four best-known groups of lilies are Martagon Lilies, Asiatic lilies, Trumpet Lilies, and Oriental lilies. Martagon lilies are the earliest to bloom and prefer to have their “head in the sun, feet in the shade”. To keep their roots cool, plant them with low-growing annuals, perennials, or grasses.

Soil is essential for lilies to grow. Oriental lilies thrive in acidic soil or ericaceous compost, while other types, including Asiatic and Turk’s cap lilies, thrive in neutral to alkaline soil. Lily plants grow best in loose, loamy, fertile, and well-draining soil. Selecting a spot where water whisks away quickly is crucial for successful lily growth.

What grows well next to lilies?

Lilies are a beautiful plant that can be complemented by various companion plants to create rich harmonies. Mounding companions like Geraniums, Ferns, or Hostas add gravitas and shade to the ensemble, while spiky companions like Liatris, Kniphofia, Eryngium giganteum, Veronicastrum, or Veronica longifolia provide visual variety against the large Lily blooms. Airy companions like Gaura lindheimeri, Perovskia, Verbena bonariensis, or Thalictrum rochebrunianum add airiness and contrasting shapes.

Blue and purple-flowering perennial plants like Salvia nemorosa, Aconitum, Anchusa azurea, Erigeron, Aster amellus, Echinops bannaticus, and Polemonium caeruleum make favorite neighbors for Lilies due to their colors. Silver and gray plants like Artemisia species or Stachys byzantina can effectively accent Lilies’ beauty. Green companions like orange and red Lilies can add drama to the garden if underplanted with soft green Ferns and Hostas. Chocolate and maroon plants provide an effective contrast against dark-leaved shrubs like Corylus maxima ‘Purpurea’ (Filbert) and Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’ (Smoke Tree).

To create a stunning Lily garden, consider planting bulbs in groups of three or more, or mix Lily cultivars to reduce the overall effect. Tall Lilies are typically planted at the back of the border or the center of island beds, while dwarf Lilies are placed at the front. Tall Lilies can also be planted among or behind shrub roses and small to medium-sized shrubs like Spireas.

A wide range of companion plants can bring out the best qualities of Lilies and share their space with a serene balance. Most Lilies thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, but some varieties prefer partial shade. Some Lilies thrive in slightly acidic or alkaline soils, so it is important to respect these rules to ensure your Lilies thrive among these plants.

Do lilies like sun or shade?

Lilies require full sun for optimal growth, with six hours or more being essential. They prefer low-growing annuals, perennials, or grasses to keep their roots cool. They prefer rich, but not overly beefy soil, with Orienpet lilies tolerant of a leaner diet. Drainage is crucial, and they prefer to be planted in a berm or raised bed to allow water to drain away from the bulbs. A pH of 5. 5 to 6. 5 is best for lilies.

What not to plant with lilies?

To ensure the health and longevity of your lily plants, avoid using ivy and other ground covers that quickly form dense mats, as they can choke out your bulbs and provide hiding places for mollusks. Instead, choose plants that do not grow taller than the listed height for each lily cultivar, be mindful of watering needs, and avoid climbing plants that may strangle your stems.

Alyssum (Lobularia) Cosmos, Dahlia, Dianthus barbatus, Geranium (Pelargonium), Marigold (Tagetes), Nigella (Love in a mist), Pansy (great in coastal areas), Poppies (Papaver), Penstemon, Primrose (Primula), Snapdragons (old standard types can overwhelm if planted too close, but many are perennial in your area if planted in well-drained soil or under the eves of the house). Violets (Viola) are also great in coastal areas, and Zinnia (shorter varieties) are a great choice for lily plants.

In summary, it is essential to choose plants that do not require a lot of water, such as Alyssum (Lobularia), Cosmos (Sonata Series), Dahlia (Dianthus barbatus), Geranium (Pelargonium), Marigold (Tagetes), Nigella (Love in a mist), Pansy (Papaver), Poppies (Papaver), Penstemon (Primula), Snapdragons (old standard types can overwhelm if planted too close), Violets (Viola), and Zinnia (Zinnia).

Do lilies like coffee grounds?

Coffee grounds have been demonstrated to be beneficial for a number of plant and flower species, including azaleas, roses, hollies, hydrangeas, and lilies. However, it has been observed that tomatoes and rhododendrons may be more sensitive to the acidic nature of coffee grounds, potentially leading to the development of brown leaf tips.

Do lilies spread in the garden?

Lily bulbs are capable of multiplication and dispersion, resulting in the formation of bulbils in leaf joints along the stem. They flourish in conditions of sheltered exposure, fertile soil, and well-drained soil. Lilies can be successfully cultivated in containers and are capable of withstanding frost. However, it is essential to provide protection from winter precipitation when cultivating lilies in containers. Lilies are capable of surviving frost, but they require protection from winter moisture.

What kind of lilies come back every year?

Asiatic lilies are easy to grow and maintain, with bulbs suitable for spring or fall planting. They prefer well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight, with most varieties hardy in zones 3 to 8. The flowers can face upward, outward, or downward and may have a light fragrance. The height of these lilies varies, from 1 ft. to 8 ft. tall. When selecting bulbs, be sure to note the height and spread for each variety. Stargazer is a popular Oriental lily.

What are the easiest lilies to grow?

Asiatic lilies are easy to grow and popular for beginners due to their unscented flowers. They bloom in June or July and can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 3-8, 1-5 feet tall, with full sun to partial shade, and average water needs. Popular cultivars include ‘Lollipop’ and ‘Buff Pixie’. Easter lilies, known as seasonal gift plants, can be moved to a permanent site outside, producing white trumpet-shaped blooms in July or August. Choose a sheltered location with sun exposure but shaded roots. Popular cultivars include ‘Nellie White’ and ‘White Heaven’.

Where is the best place to plant lilies in your yard?

There is a wide range of lily varieties that are suitable for different locations, including deck pots and gardens. The height of the lily is a factor to be considered, with shorter varieties at the front and taller varieties at the back. Furthermore, adequate drainage is of paramount importance.

How many lilies should I plant together?

Lily bulbs are a beautiful plant that can be grown in groups of three to five bulbs, spaced about 12 inches apart. Small bulbs should be planted two to four inches deep, while larger bulbs should be planted six inches deep. Space each group about three to four feet apart for optimal growth. The soil should be moist, with a significant watering once a week. During hot months, watch the soil and water as needed.

Care for lily gardens involves mulching during fall and winter, fertilizing the garden in early spring, and removing dead flower heads to give the plant energy for the next season. It is important not to remove leaves, as doing so may prevent the bulb from blooming the following year. If cutting lilies for flower arrangements, cut a bit of foliage from the stem, increasing the likelihood of the bulbs not reblooming the next year.

It is recommended to dig up and divide lily bulbs every three or four years, replant them in new patterns and holes, and extend the existing lily garden area.

What month is best to plant lilies?

Lilies are a slow-growing plant that can be planted in fall or early spring, with planting at least four weeks before the last frost date to ensure strong roots before ground freezes. They grow as single or multiple unbranched stems, with flowers held in clusters at the top or borne along the stem. Lilies come in various flower colors and can be trumpet-shaped, recurved, or open. They are grown for their flowers, making them ideal for growing in between other fuller perennials and shrubs.

Staking is necessary for Oriental hybrids with large heavy blooms and 3-8 foot tall stems, while Asiatic hybrids form self-supporting clumps over time. Growing lilies through other shrubs provides a natural framework for the plant while hiding its legs.