casa blanca southern gardens

Has anyone had good luck growing this lily in the humid south? I live in zone 8. I have been told that these types of lilies don't do well this far south. Is that true?

Hi Riverland,

We are at about the same latitude and have similar climates though mine is probably a little less humid.

I did not have great luck with Casa Blanca, and I grow a lot of lilies. I tried it in a few locations and it came back weakly or the flowers scorched quickly when they did bloom in July. Orientals in general seem to struggle with the heat as they bloom so late, and even in July our temperatures are too hot for them - the flowers brown and look ragged for me. I do have some that do well - like "Le Reve" which blooms early, in May, and has come back strongly for me in several locations for several years running. "Pookie" is a gold band lily that also did pretty well for me among the Orientals. I have heard "Siberia" has decent heat tolerance, but I have not tried that one - however it is solid white, similar to Casa Blanca.

You could plant a few to experiment and see how they do for you. You'll likely get decent flowers first year, but thereafter, mine weren't so hot.

If you like Orientals, an absolutelty excellent alternative is the OT Hybrid, or Orienpet lily - which is a cross between Trumpets (which have strong heat tolerance), and Orientals. The result is a beautiful creation with a great scent that is more open and flatter than a Trumpet, with colors, sizes and fragrances that are similar to Orientals. Orienpets are tremendously heat tolerant and grow quite tall and strong when established. I have found that mine return faithfully every year and get even bigger and more floriferous, and the flowers show minimal heat stress. However, I have never seen a white Orienpet - most are various shades and combinations of yellow, red, orange, or purple with white or each other.

Of course, Trumpets and Asiatics both do well in hot climates.

Good luck!

This message was edited Oct 3, 2006 7:45 PM

I bought Casa Blanca and it bloomed beautifully in the summer. planted inground, mostly shade. It remains to be seen, however, whether it will return and how strongly. I bought some asiatics and some orientals (got carried away).

In 2005 I bought Centerfold and they bloomed beautifully, but they did not come back in 2006. Don't know if it was the heat or if I was too skimpy with water in that particular area of my garden. In 2006 I was a little more disciplined about watering, soil amending and placement. We'll see if it makes a diff.

All to say, I am cautiously optimistic, but not holding my breath. BTW, the only ones I have seen recurring in my area as the Easter Lilies, white trumpet-like. Fancier stuff, no.

I don't think I have ever heard of the casa blanca....................... did you get one Cindy?????

That is a white oriental lily and yes I think I did Mark. Hadn't seen hide nor hair of it either. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/48948/

oooooooooooooooo its quite pretty isn't it...............

Do you do the oriental lilies or the asiatic ones in you garden?

Yesssssssssssssssssssssss, got quite a few in pots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oooh... Very pretty. I'm pretty close to your plant zone Riverland. Most of my lilies that I grow with no problems at all are the Orientals, Asiatics and some Hybrids. I think you made a beautiful choice. If you are worried about it surviving, then buy one bulb and see how it fares. They always multiply quickly.

Carol