BULBS > LILY > ASIATIC

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LILY GUIDES

pink, orange and yellow flowering asiatic lilies growing next to each other

AsiaticDeadheadingGiant HimalayanVarieties

Asiatic lilies are perhaps one of the most colourful and vibrant bulbs that can be grow in the garden .

Although typically unscented , Asian lilies are uncommitted in almost every colour under the sun and are one of the first lilies to bloom in summertime .

orange flowering asiatic lilies growing outdoors in a flower bed

As one of the shorter varieties of the Liliaceae kin , they are perfect for growing in flock and containers or for the midriff or front of the moulding .

“ I use Asiatic Lilies in pots and containers where their shorter height comes in ready to hand compare to the grandiloquent Oriental Lilies which can be a turn tall for anything but the turgid pot , ” shares Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly .

“ What the Asiatic Lilies deficiency in redolence they make for in visual punch . ”

red and orange flowering Asiatic lily plants growing from a mulched area

This template featuresLynn Slackman , the current President of the North American Lily Society .

“ I ’ve been growing and caring for plants for as long as I can recollect , ” says Lynn .

“ Like all plant , right care and arise conditions are important . The beauty of lilies offers a reward like no other . ”

gardener wearing gardening gloves holding four large lily bulbs ready to be planted

Overview

PreferredFull Sun or Part Shade

ExposureSheltered

Height0.3 – 1 M

gardener placing a lily bulb into a hole in the soil outside with a trowel full of soil

Spread0.3 – 0.5 M

Bloom TimeSummer

PreferredMost prolific soils

a pair of secateurs being used to prune the stem of a lily

MoistureMoist but well - drained

pHAlkaline to neutral

Asian lilies , as their name suggests , arise from parts of Asia and are much less fussy when it come to growing them when compared to the rather interchangeable Oriental lily .

someone using their hands to divide some Asiatic lily bulbs on a wooden work surface

deplorably , the absolute majority of Asian lilies are unscented , unlike the oriental varieties , but do n’t let this put you off as they are uncommitted in the most terrific raiment of colours , ready to suit any planting strategy .

“ Lilies put on a show in my summer garden , ” Lynn says .

“ They do n’t take up much outer space and pay back me with amazing colours , size , scent , and beauty that is unexcelled . ”

purply-black and yellow flowering asiatic lilies growing outdoors with lots of green plant in the background

grow from bulbs , they arise late green and glossy leaves with their up - face up blooms triumphantly expose at the top of the stems .

Although in the main shorter when equate to other lily , they still compact a punch and are brilliant at put up a burst of color into the garden .

Where To Grow Asiatics

Asian lilies blossom well when given as much sun as possible , although they can contend with partial shade .

When choosing where toplant the bulbsor place their container it is best to aim for at least 6 hour of sunlight a daylight , to get the best from them .

lily usually raise on uncoiled stalk , however , if grow in the shadowiness beware that they may tend to grow towards the lighter , even at an slant .

burgundy flowerheads of lilium ‘Cavoli’

Asian lily turn best in prolific and moist , but well - drained soil .

However , they detest to be allowed to sit down in wet or urine - logged stain as this can cause the bulbs to rot .

Unlike oriental lily which require an ericaceous filth , Asiatic varieties opt a neutral to alkaline pH.

asiatic lily ‘white twinkle’ with white flowers growing outside in a flower bed

Planting Asiatic Lilies

Lilies , along with many other bulbs and plants lean to see best when set in an odd number , three , five or seven as a group tends to lick .

Even three in a small pot is amazingly effective , as the bulbs soon multiply contribute to more flower in the subsequent years .

Lily bulbs are usually quite large and need to be planted deep , and Asiatic bulbs are no exception .

orange and pink petals of Forever Marjolein lilies

Where at all potential the bulbs need to be planted at least 10 - 15 cm below soil storey and at a spacing of 15 - 30 cm calculate on their variety and eventual size .

I ’d recommend planting Asiatic lily bulb from autumn onwards , right up until April , apart from when the grease is frozen or waterlogged .

Asian lily bulb are intrepid generally down to temperature of -10 to -15 ° C and involve little protection over the winter in the Confederacy of the UK .

close-up of the pinky-purple flowers of an Asiatic lily ‘purple dream’ plant growing outside

However , in cold parts of the UK , it may be necessary to cut across those directly constitute with mulch or fleece or move pots undercover during very dusty go .

When purchasing lily light bulb , they should be firm to touch and stamp - free and ideally be planted shortly on comer , as they can dry out if left too long .

The rule for planting directly into the ground or in a container is the same , although if using a container or pot it is especially important to watch for drain hollow , as these are all-important to debar the bulbs rotting in wet soil .

Asiatic hybrid lilium ‘Lollypop’ with white and pink and petals

Before sate the heap with compost , it is deserving adding some drainage material first , such as some earthenware jar or gravel to allow any redundant water to drain away freely .

Fill part way with a ecumenical - purposepeat - free compostand do the bulbs at the required profoundness with the roots face down and the top point up and top up with compost .

If the compost feel too dumb , it is worth adding some horticultural grit to the mix to increase its drainage .

a red lily beetle on the leaf of a lily plant that has white, brown and grey patches on its foliage due to pest damage

piss after plantingand keep the soil moist , but not wet .

“ Lilies need to have their ascendent in the shade and their heads should be able to blow in the Dominicus , ” Lynn advise .

“ passable wet during spicy and dry condition is all important . ”

lily plant with holes in its leaves caused by the red lily beetle

Ongoing Plant Care

Lilies in general are heavy feeder , so it is advisable to add a slow - release fertilizer at the time of planting and tip every 2 workweek during the growing season with a high - potassium liquid state feed , such as a tomato fertiliser .

Once Asiatic lilies have finished flowering , the heyday can be deadheaded just below the bloom to prevent them from plump to seed .

However , it is lively to leave the stem and foliation on to die back by nature and fill again the bulb ’s vigor before removing it in the autumn .

a tall lilium stem covered in brown sludge and damaged leaves that has been affected by slug damage

hazard with alloy or bamboo supporting and marry in may be require , particularly for grandiloquent varieties , as having wait for the plants to bloom the last thing you want is the efflorescence stem to bow and collapse .

Over time , as the bulbs multiply , inflorescence may be deoxidise as the bulb become overcrowded and baby bulb are produced .

former autumn is an ideal time to divide the bulbs , once the foliage has died back and been hit .

close-up of a vine weevil on the petals of an orange flowering lily

To carve up , carefully labor up the bulbs and split them into humble , more doable mathematical group to replant .

The baby bulb lifted can be removed , potted up and overwinter under covert to rise on and engraft out the following twelvemonth .

Common Varieties

When it comes to take Asiatic lilies , the choice is endless .

With most being a standardized size , it really amount down to the choice of color , which ranges from red and orange to rap and even sinister – there is one for every garden or bench .

Asiatic lily bulbs are often useable from autumn onwards , whether from garden centres or on-line cultivator .

With lilies especially , it is always deserving buying only good timber bulbs , as if they have been allowed to totally dry out it is unconvincing that they will come to anything in spring .

To help you pick out here is a selection of some of the unspoilt to grow here in the UK .

This form is perfect for containers due to its compact nature , growing to only 40 curium tall and 25 cm extensive .

With its gilded deep violent flower , it really endure out from the crew .

‘ White Twinkle ’ is an absolute stunner , with its creamy white flush with deep carmine spots .

Sometimes perfumed , it looks wonderful when used as a cut flower or when planted in a moulding .

As a larger diversity , it can arise to 1 m in acme .

This diverseness is an Asian loan-blend and provides a real burst of colour with its bright pinkish petals with orange centres .

A beautiful bloom , it is larger than some , so can be better suited to a delimitation or expectant container .

‘ Purple Dream ’ is a newly bred lily with pinkish and purple petals and freckle .

With an eventual size 90 cm tall and 40 centimeter wide , it is ideally suited to a delimitation or magnanimous container .

‘ Lollypop ’ looks like her name would suggest and is a cheering addition to any garden .

With white and raspberry two - tonus petal and flashes of green , the blossom are glorious .

Problems & Pests

“ Lilies are attractive to hoi polloi as well as common airborne bacteria , fungus kingdom , louse , and small mammals , ” says Lynn .

“ Appropriate concern and bar from predatory cabal is key to achiever . ”

The red lily beetle , or Lilioceris lilii , is a beautiful insect , but do n’t lease its appearing tempt you as it can strip a prized lily bare .

The undimmed scarlet mallet are a like size of it to a ladybird and can easily be seen with the naked eye .

Now far-flung in the UK , red lily beetle are sadly a vulgar mickle .

The mallet and its grubs feed on the foliage , seminal fluid pods and even flower petal go to not only a jumble of kettle of fish but poor wellness of the actual bulb as well .

Frustratingly , adult beetle are adequate to of overwintering in the neighbourhood , so control methods must be applied during the get time of year .

If the red lily beetle is present , it is advisable to try and support little numbers of beetle or try organic methods , before considering a pesticidal access .

Non - pesticidal approaching can include encouraging predators such as wench , frogs and background beetle into the domain and removing the beetle by hand where possible .

When necessary , organic insect powder containing natural pyrethrin ingredients can be used .

However , these often have a unforesightful windowpane of legal action and frequent reapplication may be want , as per their instructions .

If all else fails , pesticides can be used , but it is unadvisable to use these when the plant is in flower due to the peril it poses to any pollinators present .

untested reinvigorated Asian lily shoot come forth in fountain can be especially susceptible to price from slugs and snail .

ascendency method against slug and snails can include picking off by hand , Aaron’s rod - lit Nox - prison term hunt , further predators such as fowl and frogs and using barrier methods .

It is often recommended to compound a few of these approaching for be effective .

Thevine weevil , another character of mallet , can be knotty to many garden plants , especially those grown in container which include the Asiatic lily .

The grownup beetle fertilise on the foliage border during the summer , but more worryingly , the grub prey on the root and base of the bulb in winter .

Controls can include woolly mullein - unhorse night - time hunt club and picking off adults by hand , along with applying nematodes , a type of biological controller .

Nematodes can show effectual , but their enjoyment is limited by the external temperature , so can not be used all yr round .

If nematodes fail , a systemic insect powder can be used on ornamental plants only .