Double lilies - Miss Lucy & Chrys

Hi, has anyone had problems growing double lilies - specifically, Miss Lucy & Chrys? Mine don't fully open. The outer leaves slooooowly open, and the inner ones are still tightly closed for so long that the outer ones start dropping off. I've no problems growing Orientals, Orienpets or even a species lily (Uchida). My guess is that neither is happy in Zone 9a, and they should be sent to a cooler climate. But, I thought I'd check, because maybe others have had similar problems that can be solved. Btw, my Zone 9a is very moderate, since I'm very close to the Bay. It only gets into the 90's a few times during the summer for a couple days, and rarely is there a freeze for more than a few weeks in the winter - and that's only between 3AM until sunrise. Thanks!

The pic was taken on Sept 13, but this flower began to try to open on Aug 30. The outer leaves are already browning and have actually fallen off as of today.

Partial shade might help in a hotter climate. I found these to be nicer after a year in the ground, but best in partial shade.

'Double Vision' seems a bit more reliable, again in morning sun/ or part shade situation. It opened more consistently for me its first year. Another very reliable double is Buggy Crazy's 'Luxurious'. I have had that one for several years, and although it is not as fluffy of a double as the others, it is reliable and very robust. The flower is larger on 'Luxurious' too.

Just a few thoughts based on my experience.

Thanks, magnoliaL, I'll try partial shade for one season, though I don't think I'm living in a hot climate, having originally come from the East coast. Do you have to stake your doubles in partial shade? I would imagine they'd become somewhat leggy, or at least would be leaning toward the sun. Thanks again! : )

I grow Elodie and Ceres and they both open fine here in full sun.

susan

The orientals and asiatic doubles have differences in requirements. The double asiatics that lincoln mentioned are great and consistent, having grown them here. But those double orientals, as with most orientals, are a bit fussier in harsher climates and the hot sun is not something they love generally. Choosing a part sun location or morning sun seems to help them show off as best they can. Burned blooms will happen in a full, hot sun situation.

I haven't had to stake them, as they get plenty of sun, just not the hottest sun in the hottest part of the day.

You could always leave them where they are for another year to see if you have nicer flowering in year two. But if you have any burning on the blooms, changing location can only be helpful.

Susan and ML - Thanks to you both! : )

It actually is the first year for Chrys, but Miss Lucy's 2nd year. Though I wasn't here last year to see it, my house/cat sitter, while forgetting to take a pic, did describe Miss Lucy as behaving precisely as I saw this summer - initial petals opening and then falling off before the middle ones - weeks later - fully opened. I will try a morning- sun-only regimen, before I give up & offer the two doubles to someone who can offer them a happier home.

For what it's worth - I did wonder whether double Orientals had special requirements, because single Orientals - Casablanca, Millesimo, Sunny Borneo, Xotica & one of the Uchida plantings - do fabulously here in all day sun. Actually, it's those Uchidas that only receive morning sun, but are in the shade in the afternoon, that I intend to replant in full sun, because it bothers me to see them leaning south so intensely. It may sound weird, but I think they're trying to tell me something! : )

All the best,

Elizabete

It sounds like you have fine taste in lilies . 'Uchida' holds up beautifully in hot weather here as does 'Casablanca'. Some of the orientals have a better hot/sun tolerance than others. For example, Buggy Crazy states on her oriental web listings which ones tolerate the heat best, which can be very helpful in selection, if you have a certain spot for placing a lily in mind.

Do let us know how it works out.