Which Perennials Complement Asian Lilies Well?

This article discusses the best companion plants for Asiatic lilies, including perennials, annuals, and shrubs. It provides tips on how to plant and care for these plants to ensure their beauty for years to come. Companion plants are essential for enhancing pest management and providing a striking garden contrast.

White Sage (Artemisia ludoviciana) is a fast-spreading perennial celebrated for its silver-white foliage, providing striking garden contrast. Asiatic lilies bloom with showy, upright flowers in numerous colors, such as orange, yellow, red, pink, and white. They are exotic and colorful, with waxy, star-shaped blooms and spiral leaf arrangements, peppering the landscape in temperate parts of the world.

Lilies are ideal companions for the perennial bed, as they like cool feet (roots) and warm sun for flowers. Plant them amongst perennials such as roses, Agastache, Echinops, Salvia, and Veronica, where the perennials can shade the lily’s roots but allow room for sunny blooms. Annuals are optimal pairings with Asiatic lilies since they last just one growing season, and you can refresh the arrangement each year.

Companions for Lilies include Cosmos, Dianthus, Dill Geraniums, Marigold (shorter varieties), Pansy Snapdragons (dwarf), Zinnias, and other perennials at their base. Daylilies can be planted with Asiatic lilies if there is plenty of room between plants, and daylilies can be planted with phlox, rudbeckia, echinacea, joe-pye weed, ressian sage, heliopsis, shasta daisies, veronica, goatsbeard, mums, asters, and more. Asiatic lilies prefer full sun, but their roots prefer a cooler environment.

What to plant with canna lilies?

When choosing plants for canna lily, focus on plants with fine-textured leaves like ornamental grasses, carex, or ferns, or pair them with fine-textured annuals like cleome, tall Verbena bonariensis, or asparagus fern. Plant canna lily in a full to part sun location with at least six hours of direct sun, as more sun requires more water. Sunshine is crucial for flowering, and lack of sun may cause full-grown cannas to not flower. Canna lily needs plenty of water to support its large leaves, and its oversize beauty also requires ample fertilizer.

Add slow-release plant food at planting time and topdress again in midsummer when stems are standing tall and full. For containers, work slow-release fertilizer into the soil at planting time, and add more slow-release plant food or water-soluble fertilizer every other watering.

Are lilies good companion plants?

Lilies are ideal companions for other plants in gardens, as they appreciate shade and sunlight. They thrive in mixed borders with annuals, perennials, bulbs, grasses, or shrubs. To ensure their growth, it is essential to extend the flowering season of the mixed border by surrounding them with a succession of flowers. Low-growing spring bulbs like snowdrops, crocus, grape hyacinths, squills, anemones, and daffodils can color borders during Lilies’ inactivity.

Shrubs like Rhododendrons and Camellias can be exciting in spring, providing a backdrop for Lilies. Chrysanthemums and Asters provide late-season color while hiding the base of Lily stalks as they decay. By following these rules, Lilies can thrive in their surroundings.

What plants go well with Asiatic lilies?

It is recommended that annual dianthus, dwarf snapdragons, and short marigolds be added to the lily bed. Other perennials, such as peonies, poppies, salvia, phlox, and daylilies, can be planted in the same bed.

Can Asiatic lilies get too much sun?

Asiatic lilies require reputable bulb companies for large, healthy bulbs and the desired cultivar. Plant bulbs in spring or fall at a depth three times the bulb’s height in well-drained, loamy soil, with the flat end down and the pointy end up. Space about 8 inches apart and water well after planting. Asiatic lilies prefer cooler roots, so may need to “shade” the soil with mulching or other plants. Green stems emerge in spring, and adequate water is needed in spring and summer.

Remove spent blossoms with snips, unless seeds are saved for propagation. Leave foliage as is, as it becomes unsightly by fall and becomes dormant in winter. Asiatic lilies prefer full sun, but their roots prefer a cooler environment. Plant them in a location with at least six hours of full sun per day and add other plants or mulch to protect their roots.

Do asiatic lilies multiply?

Asiatic lilies are perennials that come back every year and can multiply. They are cold-hardy, pest-free, and do not require staking. They have a broad color range and are not fragrant but large, 4 to 6 inches wide, upward facing, outward facing, or pendant. They bloom at the top of the stems and have an average stem height of 30-36 inches. Asiatic lilies are grown by bulbs, which can double every year. They are toxic to dogs and cats, but deer and rabbits enjoy them without any ill effects.

To care for Asiatic lilies, purchase bulbs from a reputable bulb company and plant them in well-drained, loamy soil at a depth three times the bulb’s height. Space them about 8 inches apart and water well after planting. These plants prefer cooler roots, so they may need to “shade” the soil with mulching or other plants.

What looks good with calla lilies?

Portland Nursery offers a variety of perennial and annual calla lilies, with colors ranging from bright whites to dark purple/blacks. These lilies are suitable for woodland gardens with ferns, astilbes, hostas, ligularias, and impatiens. Annual calla lilies pair well with petunias, dusty miller, allysum, creeping jenny, heliotrope, or dichondra. Some Zantedeschia varieties, such as ‘Red Alert’, are tender and Zone 8-tolerant, with bright orange and red flowers from May to August.

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).

Can lilies and irises grow together?

Lilies thrive in shallow-rooted plants, which help keep their roots cool and maintain their beauty. Annuals with shallow roots are ideal for pairing with Lilies, while perennials like Peonies, Irises, and Columbines look lovely alongside them. To ensure Lilies thrive, it is important to choose low-growing companions, such as snowdrops, crocus, grape hyacinths, scillas, anemones, and daffodils, which will reinforce the beauty of Lilies’ blooms and extend the flowering season of your mixed border.

Surrounding Lilies with plants that are not too aggressive or invasive is recommended, but don’t crowd them too close. Maintain good air circulation to prevent fungus diseases like botrytis. A wide range of companion plants will 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. They also thrive in slightly acidic soil, but very alkaline soils may preclude some.

Texture, color, and form are also important when selecting companion plants. Blue and purple-flowering perennial plants like Salvia and Echinops make favorite neighbors due to their colors. Plants with gray foliage or deep green ferns can effectively accent Lilies’ beauty. Lilies provide an effective contrast against brown-leaved shrubs (Corylus maxima ‘Purpurea’), blue-flowering shrubs (Caryopteris clandonensis, Hibiscus syriacus ‘Coelestis’, and Ceanothus ‘Gloire de Versailles’), and with many companion plants to pair with, you will find several combinations that will enhance your landscape and please your eye.

Will Asiatic lilies spread?

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 flowers can you mix with lilies?

Lilies are optimal companion plants for perennial beds, exhibiting a preference for cool soil and warm sunlight for optimal flower production. It is recommended that these plants be planted alongside roses, Agastache, Echinops, Salvia, and Veronica, allowing them to receive partial shade while allowing sunlight for optimal blooming. If necessary, provide support through the use of stakes and apply a summer mulch to maintain optimal root temperature. It is imperative to ensure that lilies are kept out of the reach of cats, as they are toxic to these animals.