When Do Asiatic & Oriental Lilies Bloom?

Considerations

• Asiatic and Oriental lilies are groups that have been hybridized from native species lilies. Their provenance determines their appearance, but hybrid groups share characteristics such as bloom time, height and flower shapes, and colors. Bloom time for specific cultivars fall within a range typical for the group.

Asiatic Hybrids

• "Asiatics," according to the North American Lily Society, are the easiest lilies to grow. They are also the toughest. Most grow as far north as U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 2 or 3. Asiatic lilies grow in a wide variety of bright colors and propagate rapidly. With sunshine, well-drained soil and enough water, they bloom for up to a month beginning in mid-June.

Oriental Hybrids

• Orientals grow to 6 feet tall with equally impressive trumpet-shape blooms. They begin blooming in mid-July as the Asiatics fade, and they bloom through August. Their colors are deep and rich. Although the famous Oriental cultivar Stargazer is hardy to zone 2, Orientals tend to be one zone less hardy than Asiatics.