Could any of you S.Ca. lily lovers give me suggestions on which lilys do best here? I'm in Sunset zone 22, and can't seem to keep them alive for more than a year or two. I keep trying!
Carol
Southern Ca. lilys
do lilies need a cold resting time? maybe dig them up ,,put in crisper for 3 months then replant...Im not a expert,,I did this with daffodils this winter,,they were flowering in january..good luck dee ps they love bone meal..
OCCarol, what kind are you planting? I have been reading that the Asiatics and LA's especially will perform better in warmer climates.
Steve, I have Asiatics and LA's in pots as we speak, and I'm trying to get some Stargazers to come back from the brink that have been in the ground for 4 years. The bulbs just seem to get smaller each year 'till there's nothing left.
D-lilly, I don't know if it's heat, lack of winter chill, wet winters, or what. I do know that many of the growers pre-chill their bulbs, so that might be it. We had a very dry winter this year, and my Stargazers look like they might get big enough for a bloom. I'm hoping they will as I really miss the perfume, and the Asiatics just don't have that. I would grow them as annuals, but the nurserys were bare of lilly bulbs this year, so I had to order from Brent& Beckys. I'm not giving up!
I would love to hear some tips from So.Cal folks in similar Zone.
Carol
I know I am not in your zone but have you tried planting LA's in the ground? They are fragrant and much more profilic than most standard Asiatics. Most lilies do not do well pot-bound long term and they seem much happier in the ground. Many of us struggle with orientals as they like a cooler summer climate to really perform well, Stargazer is an oriental of course and not the best choice for a wam climate. Have you tried trumpets? Very fragrant and good in warm climates. Again I would avoid pots and plant in the ground with maybe an eastern exposure and the bases of the stalks shaded/protected from sun and heat. Sounds likeyou haven't tried all of your options yet.