Lilium Asiaticum
Insert your beautiful lily photograph here
The Asiatic Lily stands as one of the garden's most reliable performers, gracing beds and borders with upward-facing blooms of remarkable clarity and color. These hardy perennials require little fuss yet reward the gardener handsomely with their vivid displays each summer.
Asiatic Lilies represent the earliest blooming division of the lily family, typically flowering from late May through July depending on geographical location. These stalwart plants trace their lineage to species native to Asia, where they have been cultivated in Chinese gardens for over two millennia.
Distinguished from their Oriental cousins by their lack of fragrance and earlier bloom time, Asiatics compensate with vigor, cold hardiness, and flowers that face skyward. Each stem produces multiple blooms, with some varieties bearing as many as twenty flowers on a single stalk.
Asiatic Lily bulbs should be planted in autumn, after the first light frost but before the ground freezes solid. Spring planting is also acceptable, though autumn-planted bulbs establish more robust root systems.
Select a site that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal issues, yet provide some shelter from strong winds.
Lilies demand well-draining soil above all else. Amend heavy clay with compost and coarse sand. The ideal soil pH ranges from 6.0 to 6.5, slightly acidic.
Dig holes 6-8 inches deep, measuring from the base of the bulb. Place each bulb with the pointed end upward, roots downward. Space bulbs 8-12 inches apart.
Upon planting, water deeply to settle the soil around bulbs and eliminate air pockets. Avoid overwatering, which invites disease.
Apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch around the planted area. This insulates bulbs through winter and helps retain moisture during summer's heat.
Plant lily bulbs in groups of three or five for maximum visual impact. Consider planting at successive depths—some at 6 inches, others at 8 inches—to extend the flowering period.
Water deeply once weekly during growing season, providing approximately one inch of water. During hot, dry spells, increase frequency. As blooming concludes and foliage begins to yellow naturally, reduce watering gradually.
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as shoots emerge. A second feeding after flowering supports bulb development for the following season. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers.
Remove spent flowers promptly by snapping them off at the base. However, preserve all foliage—these green leaves manufacture the energy stored in the bulb for next year's display.
In zones 3-5, apply additional mulch after the ground freezes. A 4-6 inch layer of straw or evergreen boughs protects without smothering. In zones 6-9, standard mulching suffices.
| Variety | Color | Height | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enchantment | Orange-Red | 36 inches | Classic cultivar, dark speckles |
| Tiny Bee | Yellow with burgundy | 24 inches | Bi-color, compact growth |
| Elodie | Pink | 40 inches | Soft coloring, prolific bloomer |