How to Plant and Grow Oriental Lilies

Oriental lilies are a beautiful addition to any garden. Their blooms are so large and fragrant that it will be love at first site. They make great cut flowers too. Once planted they are easy to grow and care for.

They are available in wide variety of sizes and colors. These plants will grow from 18 inches to 6 feet tall. They have beautiful large blooms and a wonderful fragrance. Many orientals are hardy even in Zone 3 and 4. Check the zone before you purchase them.

Lilies are grown from bulbs that are usually planted in the spring or fall months. Early spring is best. The plant that has been grown from a bulb can also be purchased during the summer months and then planted. Planting bulbs is more economical though. The bulbs have scales on them which need to be handled carefully while planting.

Lilies don't go into dormancy like other bulbs or perennials, so the bulbs are best planted when purchased rather than stored. If you can't plant them immediately, they will store in the refrigerator or other cool place for a short time. If a longer time is needed, plant them in a pot of soil until they can be planted outdoors. Don't let the bulb dry out and don't purchase dried out ones in discount stores, because they probably won't grow.

The plants look best when planted in groups. Plant at least 3 bulbs or plants together. A good idea is to include different varieties of lilies in the same bed. You can mix trumpets, asiatics, Madonna lilies and others for different bloom times.

Orientals need to have a dry soil, since the bulbs can rot if too wet. A sandy soil blend of soil is best.

Lilies like to have their leaves and flowers in the sun, but have their roots shaded. To accomplish this, just plant the them in a sunny spot and have shorter perennials surrounding them. They can tolerate partial shade. If they get too much shade, the plants will be spindly and not have as many blooms and lean towards the sun. You will need to stake them. It is better to just plant them in a place where they will get at least 6 hours of full sun a day.

Plant the bulbs 6 to 8" apart and 4" to 6" deep. If the bulbs are planted too closely they will not have good enough air circulation and this could cause them to get a fungus.

The lilies like to be kept moist, but keep the water away from the petals. Watering in the morning is the best time.

Because this type of lily grows so tall, you may need to stake the lily or it may fall in the wind. If they aren't planted in full sun, they will also tilt towards the sun and staking will be required.

Fertilize with a phosphorous rich fertilizer in the spring. Some gardeners fertilize every month during the summer, but I have had good results without doing this. Using a time released fertilizer will accomplish the same purpose. Fertilizing right after the bloom time is also a good idea.

If you'd like to use your lilies for cut flowers, cut no farther down than one third of the stalk. If you cut more than this, it can damage your plant or even possibly cause you to lose it. Early morning is the best time to cut the flowers.

After bloom, don't cut down the stalks until they are brown. The green leaves will feed the bulb. When removing stalks in the fall, cut them down. Pulling can pull up the bulb and they won't be as protected during the winter months.

Orientals can go years without dividing the bulbs. In the north, I have never needed to divide my Orientals, like I do my Asiatics. If you notice that they are growing too thickly together and the bloom isn't as prolific, it is time to divide them.

Mulching the lilies in the fall is a good idea. This will help protect them from winter thaws that can make them heave in the ground. Six inches of mulch is about the right amount. Fallen leaves are fine or you could use straw.

Casa Blanca which means white house in Spanish, has a large white bloom. If you want a white lily, this is a nice one, because the blooms are showy and extra large. A group of bulbs can put on a real show.

Muscadet has large white blooms. It grows 20-40 inches.

Pimento only gets 24" tall and is a nice choice for pots and patios.

Stargazer is another variety that is a good choice. The flowers are a deep pink and rose blend. They have beautiful blooms.

There are many varieties to choose from. I haven't purchased an Oriental that I didn't love. Be sure to check if the variety you choose is hardy in you zone and you shouldn't go wrong.