Bulbs

Lilium
lily

- Height 11/2-7 ft (45-210 cm)
- Planting distance 4-12 in (10-30 cm)
- Flowers early summer to early fall
- Well-drained, humus-rich soil
- Heads in sun, roots in partial shade
- Bulbs available early to late fall and late winter to spring
- Hardy zones 4-8

Some lilies thrive in acid soil and some in alkaline soil; some like sun and some like partial shade. This means that nearly every garden, provided the soil is well-drained and fertile (and the climate neither too hot nor excessively cold), can grow a clump of these striking plants. Their stately habit, elegant flowers in every color except blue, and lush green foliage covering most of the stem combine to form a magnificent sight in summer. Plant lilies so they'll be seen - massed together in a mixed border, among shrubs, or in tubs on a patio. The lily genus has many species and hybrids. Those listed here are readily available and suitable for growing outdoors.

Popular species and cultivars
Lilium amabile has nodding Turk's cap flowers (recurved or rolled-back petals), which are bright red spotted with black. These appear in early summer to midsummer on 3 ft (90 cm) high stems. This is a particularly hardy species, thriving in light shade, and it will tolerate alkaline soils as long as they are well drained. Plant the bulbs 5 in (13 cm) deep. Lilium auratum, also known as the golden-rayed lily, has large, fragrant bowl-shaped flowers. These appear in late summer and early fall - a brilliant waxy white with golden yellow rays and crimson-purple spots inside. The plant stands 5-6 ft (1.5-1.8 m) high. although easy to grow, it is a short-lived species requiring neutral to acid soil. A sunny, sheltered spot where the lower part of the stem is kept in shade is best. Plant 4-5 in (10-13 cm) deep. It is excellent grown in pots. Lilium bulbiferum croceum (orange lily) has trumpet-shaped flowers of tangerine spotted with purple. the blooms appear in early summer and midsummer. The plants are 3 ft (90 cm) high and should be set 6-8 in (15-20 cm) apart. They are vigorous but need replanting every 5-6 years in ordinary soil in a sunny or shaded site. Alkaline soil is tolerated. Lilium candidum (Madonna lily) has pure white trumpet-shaped flowers with yellow pollen. These appear in early summer and are renowned for their fragrance. The plants reach 4-5 ft (1.2-1.5 m) high. Plant the base-rooting bulbs 9 in (23 cm) apart and 2 in (5 cm) deep, preferably during warm, damp weather in midfall to late fall. They need a warm, sunny site and will tolerate an alkaline soil. Although hardy, Madonna lily can be difficult to establish and dislikes disturbance. so plant it in a bed where it can be left alone. Lilium davidii bears profuse orange-red Turk's cap flowers in mid- to late summer. The petals are covered with black spots, and the pollen is red. This lily reaches 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m) high. Plant the bulbs 9 in (23 cm) apart in ordinary soil in sun or light shade. Although sort-lived, the species is easily raised from seed. Lilium hansonii has pale orange-yellow Turk's cap flowers with brown spots and a waxy sheen. They come in late spring and early summer, crowded together at the top of 3 ft (90 cm) high stems, and have a pleasant fragrance. Plant the bulbs 10 in (25 cm) apart in lime-free soil enriched with leaf mold, in light shade. Lilium henryi has large apricot-yellow and recurved Turk's cap flowers in mid- to late summer. It is a tall species, reaching 7 ft (210 cm) high and usually needs staking. Plant the bulbs 1 ft (30 cm) apart in a lightly shaded site in any ordinary soil; alkaline soil is tolerated. Lilium lancifolium (tiger lily) has strongly recurved Turk's cap flowers, which are orange-red spotted purple-black. These are carried on 3-6 ft (90-180 cm) high stems in mid- to late summer. Plant bulbs 9 in (23 cm) apart in neutral to acid soil in full sun. Lilium martagon (Martagon or Turk's cap lily) has nodding rose-purple Turk's cap flowers, which open in late spring and early summer. Despite the unpleasant smell of the flowers, it is particularly popular and easy-to-grow species. The 4 ft (120 cm) high plants grow well in the semi-shade of a shrub border. They tolerate alkaline soils and are slow growing. Set the bulbs 9 in (23 cm) apart. Lilium pumilum (syn. L. tenuifolium) has small nodding red Turk's cap flowers, which come in late spring to early summer. It is one of the smaller lilies, only 11/2-2 ft (45-60 cm) high. Plant the bulbs 4-6 in (10-15 cm) apart in ordinary garden soil in a sunny spot. Lilium pyrenaicum has tightly recurved Turk's cap flowers in loose clusters in late spring or early summer. They are bright green-yellow with purple-black spots, orange-red pollen, and an unpleasant scent. This lily is only 2-3 ft (60-90 cm) high. Plant bulbs 9 in (23 cm) apart in a sunny site; it tolerates alkaline soil. Lilium regale has fragrant white funnel-shaped flowers carried in loose clusters in midsummer. The centers of the flowers are yellow, and the backs of the petals are shaded rose-purple. These popular lilies stand 4-6 ft (120-180 cm) high. Planted 1 ft (30 cm) apart in ordinary soil and full sun, the bulbs will increase quickly. There is also a pure white form, 'Album.' Lilium speciosum has fragrant bowl-shaped white flowers heavily shaded crimson. These appear in late summer and early fall on 4-5 ft (120-150 cm) high stems. Plant the bulbs 1 ft (30 cm) apart in neutral to acid soil.
Hybrids of many types have been developed from the species, offering more robust plants in a wider range of colors. The hybrids are organized into groups according to flower shape.
Asiatic hybrids have upright flowers, carried singly or in clusters, which appear in early summer and midsummer. These hardy plants are suitable for growing in any ordinary well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. The plants reach 3-5 ft (90-150 cm) high, and the bulbs should be set 6-9 in (15-23 cm) apart. Popular hybrids are 'Chinook' (salmon), 'Connecticut King' (golden yellow), 'Electric' (orange-rose with white bands), 'Enchantment' (warm orange-red), 'Red Lion' (red tipped with white), 'Rose Fire' (red-tipped with white), 'Rose Fire' (red-tipped petals, golden center, orange-red throat), 'Sterling Star' (white), 'Syndicate' (peach, yellow throat), and 'Uncle Sam' (yellow spotted with brown).
Martagon hybrids have small pendent Turk's cap flowers in early and late summer. They reach 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m) high, and the bulbs should be set 9-12 in (23-30 cm) apart. These hybrids are easy to grow in light shade and well-drained soil - they tolerate alkaline soils. Popular hybrids are 'Blackhouse Hybrids' (cream, buff, yellow, or pink), 'Marhan' (orange), and 'Paisley Hybrids' (white, yellow, orange, lilac, tangerine, or mahogany).
Candidum hybrids have long, pendent trumpet-shaped flowers carried singly along the 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m) high stems. The blooms appear in early summer and mid- summer and have an attractive scent. Plant the bulbs 9 in (23 cm) apart in rich soil in full sun. The most popular hybrid is L. x testaceum (apricot), also called the Nankeen lily.
American and Bellingham hybrids have brightly colored Turk's cap flowers n midsummer. These tall hybrids, reaching 5-6 ft (1.5-1.8 m) high, give the best results in light shade in well-drained, lime-free soil enriched with leaf mold. Plant the bulbs 9 in (23 cm) apart. These lilies make excellent long-lasting cut flowers. A popular hybrid is 'Shuksan' (orange).
Trumpet and Aurelian hybrids have large, fragrant trumpet-shaped flowers in a wide range of colors on 4-7 ft (1.2-2.1 m) high stems. They're vigorous plants, flowering in mid- and late summer. All the hybrids in this group tolerate alkaline soils, but their site requirements differ slightly: the white- and yellow flowered cultivars grow in sun or partial shade, but the pink-flowered ones must have shade or their colors fade. Some popular hybrids include 'African Queen' (gold-orange), 'Black Dragon' (white and purple-brown), 'Golden Clarion' (yellow), 'Golden Splendor' (golden yellow; fragrant), 'Pink Perfection' (pink), and 'Sunburst' (yellow).
Oriental hybrids have large flowers strikingly colored in crimsons and pinks. The flowers appear in mid- and late summer on 3-7 ft (90-210 cm) high stems. Plant the large bulbs 1 ft (30 cm) apart and 4-6 in (10-15 cm) deep in well-drained acid soil enriched with leaf mold. A site in dappled shade is best. Popular hybrids include the 'Elegance' strain (white, pink, gold, crimson, or silver), 'Jamboree' (crimson with silver edges), 'Imperial Silver' (white and maroon), 'Kyoto' (pure white, spotted pink), and 'Treasure' (rose-pink, edged with white).

Bulbs