Lilies

Lilies are beloved by many! With their large, striking blooms, they bring elegance to gardens from early to mid-summer. They also make beautiful cut flowers. This guide is packed with helpful tips to assist you in growing your own lilies with ease!

What Are Lilies?

Lilies are perennial flowers that grow from bulbs, returning year after year with minimal care—provided they are planted in the right conditions.

These exquisite flowers feature six smooth or patterned tepals (often referred to as petals) and typically have a trumpet-like shape. They bloom atop tall, upright stems with long, narrow, lance-shaped leaves. Lilies are available in a variety of stunning colours, including pink, gold, red, orange, and white.

Different Types of Lilies

There are many popular lily species, along with countless hybrids, that gardeners can choose from:

• Asiatic Lilies – The earliest to bloom, these lilies appear in late spring to early summer (May or June), just after peonies. They are easy to grow in well-drained soil and are the shortest variety, reaching about 60 to 90 cm (2 to 3 feet) in height. Available in a wide range of colours, from soft pastels to vibrant tropical shades, Asiatic lilies are not particularly fragrant but add brilliant colour to any garden.

• Easter Lilies – Often grown indoors as a seasonal holiday plant, Easter lilies are typically forced into bloom around March or April for Easter celebrations. In warmer regions, they can be planted outdoors once they have finished flowering.

• Oriental Lilies – Known for their intense fragrance, these tall and elegant lilies grow up to 1.2 metres (4 feet) and bloom later in the season, usually as Asiatic lilies begin to fade (mid- to late summer).

• Trumpet Lilies – Similar to Oriental lilies, these produce multiple flowers with a pleasant scent. Their blooms are slightly smaller and more tubular (resembling a trumpet) compared to other lily varieties.

Other popular varieties include Tiger Lilies, Turk’s Cap Lilies, and hybrid varieties such as Orienpet (a cross between Oriental and Trumpet lilies) and LA Lilies (a mix of Easter and Asiatic lilies). Browse our catalogue to find the perfect lilies for your garden!

How to Grow Lilies

Lily bulbs can be planted from autumn through to summer and thrive both in garden beds and containers. While specific planting instructions may vary by variety, lilies are generally easy to grow. For the best results:

• Choose a sunny location.
• Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
• Use a high-potassium fertiliser to encourage healthy growth and vibrant blooms.

Although lilies are hardy, it’s beneficial to move them to a frost-free area during winter if possible. If they must remain outdoors, wrapping them with bubble wrap can help provide extra protection.