In the world of lilies, Oriental lilies are something else; their huge flowers, intense fragrance and beautiful colors make them some of the most admirable flowers in the garden.
Along with Asiatic lilies, Oriental lilies are also some of the most suitable lily species for Nordic climates.
The flowers can have a multitude of colors and many of the hybrids also have color variations on the leaf edges, in the midribs and in the form of freckles.
Characteristics of Oriental lilies
- Oriental lilies are bulbous plants that are relatively easy to grow and grow quickly
- They flower every year in mid to late summer (typically July-August) and bloom abundantly
- The flowers are larger than other lilies and have a strong fragrance
- Oriental lilies grow to 80-100 cm tall
- When cut, Oriental lilies last longer than other lilies
- Be careful not to get pollen on your clothes; turn the flower away from you when handling it
Cultivation and care
Planting
- When planting, the tip of the bulb should face upwards
- Place the bulbs twice as deep as the height of the bulb (approx. 12-15 cm into the ground)
- The distance between the bulbs should be approx. 10-15 cm
- You should water the bulbs immediately after planting
- Plant in spring and fall
- They grow best in full sun and sheltered from the wind – however, if planted in a pot or potted container, they should be in partial shade as the soil will otherwise become too hot
Soil conditions
Oriental lilies grow best in loose, humus-rich soil that is well-fertilized and well-drained. The soil should preferably not be too calcareous and can be improved with compost and cow manure granules.
If you have very sandy or clayey soil, it can be optimized for Oriental lilies by adding peat, leaf litter or composted manure.
Care and maintenance
- Oriental lilies need vegetable fertilizer every 2 weeks
- Like other lilies, Oriental lilies can be attacked by the red lily beetle
- Over winter, Oriental lilies should be covered with leaves or fir branches to protect them from frost
- Grow them in pots or jars and move them inside (in a frost-free place) during the winter months
- It is also recommended that you plant some low plants around the lilies to slightly shade their base. This will cool the soil they are standing in, giving them optimal conditions
- In rare cases, it may be necessary to stem an Oriental lily
General tips for growing lilies
- Always let the lilies wither on their own after flowering
- Feel free to remove withered flowers (this way the lily plant uses all its energy on the bulb)
- Lilies are generally hardy to cold and frost if they are grown in the garden. However, it is always a good idea to cover them with leaves or spruce branches over the winter (NB: Lilium Longiflorum is an exception; this should always be kept frost-free)
- Lilies reproduce and should therefore be dug up and divided after a few years – replant immediately
Hybrids of Oriental lilies
Hybrids of the Oriental lilies include:
- Flying Circus – Chalky white flowers that open in layers
- Hot Spot – Large creamy-white flowers with raspberry-colored center petals and freckles of the same color
- Enjoy – Wide pink petals with a white center
- Rio negro – Purple/pink flowers with a black center border
- Cherborough – White flowers with a yellow midrib
- Stargazer – Purple/pink flowers with white edges and a yellow center
- Bernini – Purple/pink flowers with white edges and raspberry freckles
- Black Beauty – Dark red flowers
- Journey's end – Red flowers
- Yellow Ribbons – White and yellow flowers
- Casa Blanca – Chalky white flowers
- Cobra – Deep red flowers
- Corvara – Dark purple flowers with white edges
- Dizzy – White flowers with brown midribs
- Legend – White flowers with yellow midribs and pink freckles
- Lombardia – Pink flowers with yellow midribs and a white center
- Mero star – Dark purple flowers with freckles
- Mona Lisa – Pink flowers with purple centers and freckles
- Muscadet – White flowers with a bluish tinge and red freckles
- Star fighter – Pink flowers with a purple midrib, yellow center and freckles
- Sumatra – Dark purple flowers with thin white edges