LOVELY LILIES
Historic symbols during Easter season
Easter lilies (Lilium longiflorum) with white trumpet-shaped flowers are historic symbols of purity and resurrection during the Easter season.
Let’s take a closer look at this popular, easy to grow and versatile family of plants, thanks to the experts at National Garden Bureau (www.ngb.org).
There are about 100-plus species in the genus Lilium. Besides variations in appearance, each of them differs slightly concerning ease of growing, bloom time, sunshine needs and more.
Many plants have lily in their name but are not true lilies and members of the genus Lilium. These include day lily, water lily, peace lily, calla lily, canna lily and lily of the valley.
All species from the genus Lilium can be classified into nine divisions. Physical characteristics delineate these horticultural divisions by parentage and then by the following broad categories that describe their flower aspect and shape.
Division 1: Asiatic hybrids
These hybrids are easiest to grow and feature up-facing, out-facing or down-facing aspects. They are unscented. Attractive and long-lasting, they are usually the earliest to bloom.
Division 2: Martagon hybrids
Martagon hybrids are known for their height and abundance (up to 40 to 50 per stem) of small, strongly recurved petals on nodding flowers. They are early blooming and a shade-tolerant woodland division, shying away from intense heat, humidity and direct sunlight.
Division 3: Candidum hybrids
This division consists mostly of European varieties that are not commonly found for sale. They are one of the oldest, perhaps the first, species of lilies introduced into culture. The Madonna Lily is a Lilium candidum.
Division 4: American hybrids
This division is native to North America, where they grow wild. American hybrids are quite tall, with nodding, down-facing blossoms on tall, curved pedicels.
Division 5: Longiflorum hybrids
Showy and fragrant, this species is cultivated usually as white trumpets at Easter. It features large, fragrant, outward-facing, trumpetshaped, pure white flowers. To save your Easter lily, treat it as a houseplant until mid-May then plant it in a sunny spot in the garden.
Division 6: Trumpet hybrids
Trumpet hybrids provide long seasons of ample and fragrant blooms, growing so large as to necessitate staking. Tall and elegant, this species is composed of many Asian out-facing and down-facing trumpet-shaped flowers.
Division 7: Oriental hybrids
Hybrid crossbreeds with species native to Japan are fragrant and tall, with large, out-facing flowers. Robust flowers with a strong, enchanting fragrance. Many are called “Stargazers” because they appear to be up-facing.
Division 8: Garden hybrids
This group consists of hybrids of the other seven divisions. Garden hybrids will cross species by any number of methods creating more variety, beauty, health and disease resistance.
Division 9: Wild or native lilies
This division includes all the species in their native form, before hybridization. All the fabulous hybrids that we know and love growing in our gardens have derived from these wild lilies.
A complete growing guide for lilies in your garden
Lily bulbs thrive in well-draining soil and prefer six hours of sun or more. Remember the adage, “Head in the sun, feet in the shade.” To keep their roots cool, plant them with low-growing annuals, perennials or grasses. Drainage is a critical issue, plant them in a raised bed so water drains away from the bulbs.
Plant bulbs in the fall or early spring, before the ground freezes or becomes too warm. If planting in the fall, spread a thick winter mulch to help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Mulch also inhibits eager sprouts from poking up too early in the spring and getting nipped by frost.
Space the bulbs approximately 20 to 30 centimetres apart with the pointed end facing up. The general rule of thumb for planting depth is to cover the bulb with soil that’s about three times its height. Lilies make the most impact when planted in clusters of three or more.
Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Fertilize with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring when new growth starts. A complete formula such as 10-10-10 works well. Tall varieties might require staking to support the heavy blooms; place stakes at the time of planting to avoid spearing the bulb.
Remove faded flowers to encourage the plant to put energy into bulb development. When stalks have yellowed or completely dried, cut them back or cautiously pull them out, and be careful not to remove the bulb with them. Old stems should be cleared away before winter.
Mulch over the bulbs in colder climates to protect them from extreme temperatures. In spring, remove the mulch gradually as the weather warms up.
Deer and rabbits are known to find the foliage, stems, and buds quite appealing. Consider planting onions and garlic around the perimeter or using deer- and rabbit resistant fencing and repellent sprays.
Lilies as cut flowers
Increase lilies’ vase life and avoid a sticky mess by removing the pollen found on the anthers. Use gloves or a wet paper towel to remove them and avoid staining your hands. Aim to remove the pollen before it matures and starts to become powdery. It’s best to catch the pollen when the buds are just beginning to open.
If some pollen falls on your clothing, resist the temptation to rub it. Rubbing will only push the pollen deeper into the fabric. Use a pipe cleaner or sticky tape to gently brush the surface and lift the pollen off the fabric. Apply stain remover and wash the garment.
Some lily species, such as Asiatic lily, Easter lily, Stargazer lily and Oriental lily, are toxic to cats.