I have two Asiatics that are solid white. Not much to look at but the fragrance will knock your socks off.
Today's Blooms
Yellow Asian...I dusted the white Asians with this yellow...I"m hoping to create a cream with the fragrance of the whites.
White lilies are my very favorite ones. They are just so pure and simple looking.
susan
Me too! I planted my new lily bed so that the Asiatics are all over the spectrum, but then when the Orientals kick in, they're 90% white, and 10% white with just a bit of color (such as Muscadet). I can't wait!!
Waht is the difference between Asiatics and Orientals?
Well, from someone who doesn't know the science part, I find Orientals often taller, usually more fragrant, and they mostly bloom just as the Asiatics are quitting.
hth,
Larisa
Just as there are different varieties of marigolds or petunias, there are different varieties of lilies. In the lily world these are broken into divisions. As Larisa indicated, there can be a difference in height (but not necessarily so, there are some short orientals) and fragrance (again, not necessarily so, as there are some fragrant asiatics). So what's the real difference? Orientals have larger blooms and are more showy. They are considered the "Queen" of the lilies. They require a more acidic soil and they are more tender than asiatics. Generally, asiatics can be grown from zones 3 to 8. Orientals 5 to 8. People like myself in zone 4 can grow orientals, but need to make sure we plant deeper and mulch really well in winter. Orientals tend not to be long lived in the garden, but I think it is because of the soil and perhaps light conditions that can cause a bulb to lose vigor. We can go on and on here. There are many different divisions, all with unique traits. There are asiatics, LAs, trumpets, orientals, species, asiapets, orienpets, and several other interdivisional crosses. I'm not an expert, so maybe someone with a bit more knowledge than I can explain it better.
The longevity/vigor difference is interesting; in my particular environment the oldest Asiatics and my oldest Orientals are bo ten years, but I have noticed the Asiatics have multipled *far* more vigorously than the Orientals.
That's normal for reproduction, but I wish it was the other way around.
I talked with several people (mostly in Iowa) that have problems with Oriental longevity. I had no idea! My oldest Orientals I've had for 9 years.
Then you must be taking good care of them. I hope someday I can say I have a 10 year old oriental. Yes, the asiatics tend to multiple more rapidly. I'm racking my brain now. I read somewhere about why this is so and I seem to remember something to do with the amount of energy that the oriental bulbs have to put out in order to put on the show that they do. I wish I could remember where I was reading that.
We should all do what Inanda does and take a scale or two off of each oriental for propagation. You'd probably get more bulbs that way than waiting for the mother bulb to produce bulblets.
That's the kicker ~ I don't do anything special for them. They're in good soil but not great, and I've never fertilized them much. But they are fairly close to the foundation on the west side so I supposed they probably aren't too stressed during the winter.
I've always assumed that was a factor--I've got a handful of 10-year-old liles that were actually treated quite poorly for four of those years (long story), but I think they've only seen freezing temperatures once or twice in ten years.
BTW I found a webpage with descriptions of the main lily types on the market right now.
http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/lily/2002085728005205.html
Larisa
BamaBelle I love your white Asiatic lilies. What is the name? I would love to order some just like it. ;) Lin
Dancey,
I have no idea. My sis gave me a pakcage of mixed bulbs that werw supposed to be Asians. So far I've had to light orange, two dark orange, two white Asians, two of the larger Easter lily looking ones....and I've got several more taht haven't opened. I'm dying for this one to open!
Me too!
Don't forget to post a pic so we can see. ;)