Hi everyone, I am completely new to lily growing, and would like to know if I am still in time to plant lily bulbs this Fall if I order some now. I am in zone 8b. We just had our first real frost, enough to get the car windows frosty enough to scrape, though it warmed up in the afternoon. Winter temperatures rarely stay below freezing for longer than a week at a time, only 2 or 3 times during the Winter. It almost never goes below 15 degrees at night during those cold snaps. Most of the Winter temps remain in the 30's and 40's. occasionally rising into the 50's during the day. Thanks for any advice, even if it is to forget the idea until next year. If planting out is not feasible, would it be possible to plant lilies in gallon pots to bring inside during those freezing nights?
Can I still plant?
If you are refering to true lilies, i. e. the genus lilium, this is a perfect time to plant them. They are winter hardy. The only thing they are really picky about is drainage. They don't like being under water in the winter (or any time). Being familiar with our wonderful winter rains I just want to make sure you have a favorable area to plant them in:-)
Thanks for your reply. I was going to plant Asiatics since they are described as the easiest lilies (are these true lilies?) Most of my yard has heavy clay soil, some of which is waterlogged in Winter, but I have created raised beds to deal with this problem. I hope that this will be sufficient.
Yes, Asiatics are true lilies. Other types of true lilies include the Orientals and trumpets which are fragrant. Asiatics are usually not fragrant but are very colorful. Your raised beds are a perfect mitigation for your clay soil.
OK, I'm taking the plunge and am about to place an order for $35 worth of lilies. These are going in my memorial bed for my dad which is raised about 6 inches above the original ground level in the middle. Just one other question if you are up to it! What are good companion plants for lilies to put around them so the old foliage doesn't look odd after they are finished blooming?
We discussed companion plants here:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/555234/
Most of my companion plants are other lilies;-) Daylilies, roses, daisies, etc work well. It is also OK to have plants that don't need much summer water as long as the lilies have had plenty of water until they finish blooming. Annuals that bloom all summer are fine (petunias etc). Most lily foliage stays green and looks nice for the rest of the summer after bloom has finished. Since Asiatics are the first to bloom in June, there are a few varieties of those that die back sooner rather than later.
I guess I should ask you about who you are ordering from? And have you checked the Garden Watchdog rating?
Daylilies sound like just the thing. I already have some in that bed, and can get others to go with my Asiatic color schemes. Daisies sound easy too. I am ordering from BuggyCrazy since there was good feedback about that company and the shipping to Western Washington is cheap. Thanks for your help!
What a great place to order lilies from your first order. You'll have to share your blooms with us next summer. Hope to see you around and welcome to the lily forum, mauryhill.
Thanks for the welcome. I have been drooling over the lilies on the BCrazy website for days trying to decide what to get. I finally picked out 2 early bloomers, 4 mid June bloomers, 4 late June bloomers, and 2 that are supposed to bloom in July. I only got one of each, as my price tag was rising (got a few daffodils too and some pink lily of the valley). I realize clumps of a variety would probably look better, but I will just have to wait until they multiply to get the abundant effect. It doesn't look like that company will be in operation a lot longer or I might have chosen a few this year (but gotten more of them) and waited 'til next year for some more varieties.
I'm sure it will be beautiful. Just remember to show us ;) next summer.
With any luck, Buggy Crazy will at minimum, continue to grow her beautiful lilies and market them to us.
I mix my lilies all over my gardens--different varities for sun & shade. Tall ones at the back, shorter ones near the front of the beds. Lilies like their feet (lowere stem) shaded, so planting between daylilies, phlox, speedwell, coreopsis or anything else bushy is a plus.
Have fun with your new addiction!
I can almost smell the fragrance from here!!!!!!
Ahh, the joys of summers remembered.
My daughter called & ordered flowers for me today. She told them to make it look like a garden---WOW! Sunfowers, mums, roses, carnations, liles & others I don't recognize. Looks like a quick bouquet grabbed in the summer.
For a companion plant I used Diamond Frost euphorbia last year, and I loved it. The tiny white blooms and green leaves adequatly covered the unblooming bottoms of the lilies, and the Diamon Frost was like a cloud if baby's breath growing only about 6 to 8 inches. This one is of Diamond Frost with my Jackmanii Superba clematis, but you get the idea.
