oriental lily bulbs

I've had limited success with oriental lily bulbs that I've planted. This was my 3rd year and I have much less flowers than I started with. I've got good drainage an plenty of sun. i'd like to give my lily garden one more shot. Suggestions on where and what to purchase please. The garden looked so sad I planted some Phlox (David) to make it look better.

Greetings. I asked this question on another thread:

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1013972/

I had the experience of putting in six different orientals as a test and none of them came back.
Do have a look, but the list for zone 5 or so was:

Sorbonne (I've grown it for at least five years)
Casablanca (I've grown it for at least 8 years, it increases)
Crystal Blanca (4 years and it is increasing)

You will notice that Magnolialover grows many, many orientals, and this is her list
Arabian Red
Bergamo
Casablanca
Starfighter
Sumatra
Miss Birma
Rubrum
Uchida

These seem to persist and even increase for her for many years.

Do try to lower the ph if yours is high. But I must say, everyone mentioned Casa Blanca as easy, gorgeous and tough.

Donna

Thanks for the response! Casa Blanca did come back for me but would love to try the Sorbonne. Any ideas on where I could find the bulbs?

Yes I do, in fact two great sources. These companies guarantee their bulbs and will take care of their customer. I have linked you to the pages they are on:

B&D Lilies: http://www.bdlilies.com/or.html
$4.95 each or 3 for $13.85

The Lily Garden: http://www.thelilygarden.com/pages_lilies/oriental_2.html#sor
$5.50 each or 3 for $15.00

I have ordered many lilies from both companies. My Sorbonnes came from B&D. They are gorgeous. You'll love them!

I have two Casa Blanca lilies which I have had for about 3 years. They are in full blooms right now and just gorgeouus. They are perfuming the air and are just beautiful. I would like to know if there is a way to propagate them or do I just have to buy more. Thanks for any help that you can give me.
Shleigh

I planted a bunch of casablancas years ago, and they dwindle with the years until they disappeared. I have a little more luck with the LA lilies. Maybe my zone is too hot for them to multiply and thrive.

bleepy you should have no problem growing lilies....it's not the climate! I grow many different types and colors of lilies and have no problem. Amending your soil with lots of compost will make a world of difference and spray early for the lily bug!!

"Conca d'Or' is another great lily that comes back very well and has strong stems. Along with...

'Space Mountain'
'Arabian Red'
'Muscadet'
'Elegant Lady'
'Amethyst Temple'
'Black Beauty'
'Scheherazade'
'Tom Pounce'
'Shocking'
'Triumphator'
'Show winner'
'Rosey Dawn'
'Boogie Woogie'
'Tigermove '
'Garden Party '
'Angelique'
'Casa Blanca'
'Sorbonne'
'Siberia'
'Penthouse'
All of these have been in my garden 3 or more years.