Residents of Michigan are lucky. There, the Tiger Lily grows wild in prairies. Its lovely orange petals, freckled with dark spots, offer a beautiful display in windblown fields. Fortunately, it grows as far north as southern Canada and as far south as Oklahoma. A close relative called the Wood Lily, or Lilium philadelphicum, occurs far [...]

Trumpet lilies announce themselves with bursts of color. Though given an entire division (Division 6 in the official catalog), these are not ‘purebred’ lilies, but a hybrid derived from Asiatics. Nevertheless, they are worthy not only of a division, but of all the attention they get. The name comes from their shape, which has the [...]

Lilies are members of the Lilium genus. What could be a simpler answer to the question posed by the title than that? But within that simple description is a wealth of possibilities. Lilies are typically distinguished by divisions. Here are a few examples: Division I contains the Asiatic hybrids. The flowers face upward and have [...]

Many Westerners confuse ‘Asian’ with ‘Oriental’. But they are not the same, in people or lilies. The Oriental Lily has a number of distinct differences from its cousin. The Oriental is often taller than an Asiatic lily, growing 3-6 feet in contrast to the Asiatic’s 2-5 feet. There is some overlap in the range, to [...]

Lilies are hardy plants that are relatively easy to grow. But there are a number of diseases and pests that can present challenges to that goal. Aphids Aphids are a common pest of many plants and, unfortunately, lilies are no exception. They reproduce rapidly in the spring then the offspring begin to feed on any [...]

Lilies are very adaptable and will do well in the hothouse or pot. They are, in fact, often grown in a commercial greenhouse before they’re delivered to the store to be bought. Pots also make for excellent homes for lilies of many types. But which option is best for you? Naturally, no one can answer [...]

There are two main questions to answer anytime you think about how to fertilize lilies: when, and how much? Neither answer is very complicated, but unfortunately it can’t be answered very specifically in a general article, since it depends on many individual factors. Follow the directions on the package for that. Still, there are some [...]

Over-watering a lily is much more likely to do damage than under-watering. But how much water is too much? There’s no unique answer to that question that fits every pot and garden, of course. It depends on the number of bulbs, the humidity and temperature of the air, and other factors. But there are simple [...]

It’s no accident that lilies are such a prominent part of so many weddings. They’re simply perfect for the occasion. A wedding lily can be any of a dozen different species, but whichever you choose, you can’t go wrong. They’re beautiful, hardy, and they last well even under hot lights. The Calla lily is one [...]

Lilies provide beauty wherever they’re grown. But not all those with a green thumb (or who desire one) are lucky enough to live in a suitable USDA hardiness zone. Sometimes, a container is just the answer. Others prefer their flowers to bloom outdoors to liven up the display around the house. Here are a few [...]