Trumpet and Aurelian Hybrids Lilium

Liliums are herbaceous perennial summer bulbous geophytes that overwinter well without having to be removed from the ground for storage. The bulbs of the plant have white or yellow fleshy scales. They prefer a location with full sun to PM sun for the leaves, shade for the roots, and well-drained, fertile soil and mulch to keep the root zone cool.  Overly moist soil can cause bulb rot but the soil should not be allowed to dry out completely.  Plant bulbs 8" deep in the fall and be rewarded with showy fragrant blooms from June-August.  They are often utilized as border or cut flowers, specimen plants, and in mass planting. They can be grown in a container but will be somewhat smaller.  Taller plants may need to be staked.  Dead-head blooms to reduce energy spent on creating seed and cut back stems after bloom and when they begin to turn yellow.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids can vector lily mosaic virus (no cure once infection occurs); botrytis, bulb rot (from wet, poorly-drained soils).

Quick ID Hints:

• Erect, often unbranched plants with sessile leaves
• Flowers appear fused, but tepals are free to base
• Filaments attached at the base of each tepal

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.