Lilies That Bloom a Long Time

Description

• Asiatic lilies are the most frequently planted lilies. They are vigorous growers and form clumps that seldom need staking. Asiatics bloom from mid-June to as late as August. The flowers range from 4 to 6 inches wide on 2- to 5-foot tall plants. Some blooms point upward, while others point downward or outward. They come in different colors.

Care

• Asiatic lilies require full sun and well-draining soil. They are hardy in United States Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 3 to 8. Plant them in the early spring or fall. Place the bulbs between 6 and 9 inches deep. Asiatics require minimal care once established. Fertilize them in spring when new growth emerges. Deadhead the plants as the blooms fade and divide as needed every few years.

Cultivars

• There are many Asiatic cultivars. Enchantment has downward-arching, spotted, orange petals. Festiva is similar with a yellow-orange coloration and spots on its petals. Montreaux is somewhat cup shaped and blooms in a pinkish-mauve shade. Dreamland is a sunny yellow. Other long-blooming cultivars include Citronella, Connecticut King and Cote d'Azur.

Landscape Uses

• Lilies are suitable for adding summer color to a perennial bed. They are good companions to ornamental grasses and sun-loving perennials, such as Shasta daisies (Chrysanthemum maximum), daylilies (Hemerocallis), black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia goldsturm) and purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea). Plant them in masses for the most striking effect.