Okay, all you lily enablers, help. I got interested in lilies this summer, (only have about 6), and want more. Tell me, is this the right time to be planting? Any other advice would be appreciated. I am planning on putting them in established beds to add color when other things have gone dormant.
I have just gotten interested in lilies.
Welcome to lily addiction!
Fall or spring is fine for planting lily bulbs. For our zone, I like planting in fall- seems like they're not as stunted the first year, I suppose because they have'nt been in cold storage for winter. Because lily bulbs are harvested so late in the fall, there is usually a better selection to choose from in spring.
buggycrazy has a good selection available on her site now, and is great for answering any questions you have prior to ordering.
What kind(s) are you growing now?
Asiatic, Oriental, just the kinds you pick up at walmart. Gonna give several a try, to see which ones I like best. Do you have preferences? Any good planting/growing tips? Appreciate your enabling personality!!
I'm glad to see you have finally arrived! Lily Lust is the Best addiction there is. Sure wish I was going to be at the KY RU I would 'help' your addiction along!
Fall is the best time to plant the lily bulbs as it gives them time to get their basal roots established before they start growing. Spring works ok, but the bulb is doing so many things like establishing basal roots, putting up a stem, and forming buds that its energies can be divided, hence the reason for stunted lilies that summer. Just try to give them 6 weeks if possible before the ground freezes--does your ground even freeze? Even that is not necessary and you can plant after the ground is frozen if you have pre-dug your holes!
You are gonna love your lilies!!!!!!
I would definitely recommend OT (Oriental/trumpet hybrids, Orienpets). They've been proving to be sturdy garden performers for me. Lilies like to be planted deep; they prefer cool roots (mulch and underplantings are good) and their feeder roots appear on the stem above the bulb. I've found this particularly important with taller varieties- plenty of root space to keep them upright. Good drainage is the biggest requirement for lilies, wet feet=rot.
As a lily fiend, I'd say try some of all the classes. You can have blooms from the beginning of June through late August or September. My best summer color came from lilies this year.
Some of my favorites so far:
Scheherezade
Silk Road
L. henryii
Zeus
Black Beauty
L.speciosum rubrum (the latest to bloom in my garden)
As far as Orientals, Asiatics, and LA hybrids, I have'nt found any I did'nt like, lol.
Wooden Shoe Bulb farm is a source I tried this spring (I don't think they offer them in fall) and was extremely happy with. They sell in quantities of 25 or more, but their prices are great. I did a mini-coop from them in spring and hope to do a larger one next spring. They were'nt even stunted and most reached 3-4' and each had several blooms.
Hi Lilyfan, I sure am gonna miss you at the RU. DH is going with me this year, as well as DGD. Looking forward to it.
What kinds of lilys do you have? Any that are just too good to pass up? I want something in every bed that is blooming all the time. I guess, I will put some out, then move them if I see they are needed somewhere else.
Bonnie
gemini sage, thanks for that list. Now to get some ordered. Getting older is prompting me to go with more care-free plants, will still put out a few annuals but the lilies sure sound good.
defoecat, you have come to the right place. Buggy Crazy has a great site with excellent descriptions as far as growth, size bloom time, color and anything else she has noticed in growing any particular bulb & she has a sale going right now. These are not your run-of-the mill Walmart varieties. These will definitely make your garden unique. Oh yeah, I should mention, Buggy Crazy is NOT paying me to be her biggest fan, I just am :0) Lisa is super helpful.
Gemini had a great list of must-haves, but if you really are just starting out, take is slower and see what varieties you are drawn to, there are so many different types. I would get a few asiatic, a few orientals, a few oriental-trumpet crosses(OT) nad see what you like best, then go from there.
Glad you've come to join us.
Thanks Magnolialover, I had planned to do just that. Get a few of each, enjoy them the first year, and then I will probably have a good idea which ones I like, and order some more. I will be shopping around, and glad you recommended Buggy Crazy, that is the best advertisement. Word of mouth.
Yep, buggycrazy is great and has big, healthy bulbs.
Need a little nudge to push you over the edge? http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/652209/#new
This message was edited Sep 19, 2006 2:47 PM
I have tried to find buggy crazy's website, can anybody give me a link?
Buggy's Website is
http://buggycrazy.vstore.ca/
Thanks, I couldn't find it. You all know how to really wear down a girl, You could say, I asked for it!!
Have fun window shopping!
I will, may do more than "window shop". I'll let you know.
Do let us know. Her site is so fun to look at the number of lilies she has. King Kong is one I could not resist, but I love those tall ones. Her sale is on, so deals are very good now.
Bonnie,
I agree with everyone else, try a few of each variety and see what you fall in love with. This year I bought a lot more species, I guess I'm ready for the challenges that come with growing them. I love the fragrant ones, but it seems to be the OT's (most are fragrant) and the asiatics that are the real workhorses in my garden followed by the LA's. I would have a hard time picking a single division as I love them all and they work together to make the season longer.
I agree with you, gemini, about Wooden Shoe. I bought some hyacinth bulbs from them and they were fantastic. They don't get the press that Van Engelen and B & B get but they sure offer a lot for good prices and you can even pick your bulb size on many things.
And I second the comments on Orienpets - very tough and reliable and perennialize well even in our heat! All of my stems are still green with no signs of browning through the summer.
You all are giving me more reasons to "get lost" in this addiction. as I have withe daylilies, iris, etc, etc. etc. LOL.
You wouldn't be a very fun gardener if you didn't have addictions. :) Give in and just ride the tide.... :) I'm about to get the round-up out and kill off some more grass for a new lily bed...
Diann
My DH measures the yard to make sure that I have not encroached on his turf. He loves his grass! I love my flower beds!!
Well, I'd just shorten that measuring stick of his. :) He'll think he still has all his turf and you'll have more room for flower beds, and everybody will be happy! :)
My husband likes turf too. So, I let him have the east pasture and the west pasture and anything in between is mine. :)
Diann
We have 29 acres, looks like he wouldn't miss a few feet. He just got a new 0turn lawn mower, and I think he gets a kick out of being on it.
Oh the toys they love. Too funny defoecat.