HO-59
yard and garden
GARDEN LILIES
John A. Wott
cooperative extension service horticulture department purdue university lafayette, indiana 47907
Few flowers have greater versatility and variety than the garden lily. The stately Regal lily and the sparkling, freckle-faced Mid-Century lillies are only a few of these popular hobby flowers. Lillies bloom from May to October and under glass for winter pleasure.

PLAN BEFORE PLANTING
Lilies are planted among garden flowers. Placed in front of evergreens, shrubs, or fences, they can be used for accent plants. Plant lilies in groups of a single variety with at least three plants in a group. For pools and other specialized areas, choose recommended types such as the native Lillium canadense or L. superbum.

SELECTION
Lily bulbs are fragile and must be handled with care. To be sure you get bulbs that are in good shape, buy only those packaged in a protective "shock absorber" such as peat moss or cedar shavings. Buy bulbs from a reputable garden center or from specialists listed in garden magazines. Buy only from American sources because American bulbs are shipped a shorter distance and are in better condition than foreign bulbs. Most American bulbs are disease free, lessening the chance of introducing diseases into the garden by infected bulbs.
Medium size bulbs do just as well as larger bulbs but have fewer flowers the first year.
Lilies are often advertised as hybrids, strains, or clones. A hybrid is produced when one species is crossed with another species. The resulting offspring shows a desirable flowering and growth habit. Hybrid lily bulbs are usually more expensive.
A strain is a group of seed-grown lilies which have the same parents. The plants will not be identified individually but will look alike. Most strains are relatively inexpensive because large numbers can be produced quickly from seed.
A clone is vegetatively propagated from an offset or scale from one definite plant. Clonal plants are really the same plant, grown as several separate plants.
TYPES
Listed in Table 1 are some of the more common lilies available. Included are species, clonal, strain, and hybrid types. Select specific colors and types according to your needs during the lily flower season.
The Tiger lily (Lilium tigrinum) is recommended for naturalized plantings. This lily is the "Typhoid Mary" of the garden, for it tolerates mosaic, a serious lily disease, and acts as a possible source of infection for other lilies in the vicinity.

PLANTING SITE
Lily bulbs may be planted in either the spring or fall, but fall planting is best for most varieties. Fall planting allows the plants a chance to establish roots before cold weather begins. Bulbs planted in the early spring often will flower in the same season.
Bulbs received after the ground has frozen should be stored in fresh, moist, but not wet, peat moss or sand at 32 to 38°F. Plant these bulbs in early spring as soon as the ground is workable.
Lilies must have good drainage. No other aspect of lily culture is as important. Use raised beds or "hills" to plant lilies where necessary. In heavy soil, the bulbs may be set on a layer of sharp sand or gravel.
Bulbs grow best in medium loam soils high in organic matter. Sunny locations are ideal, but light shade during midday will keep colors from fading as quickly. Do not plant lilies where failures have previously occurred.

SOIL PREPARATION
Prepare the soil 8 to 10 inches deep several weeks before planting. The addition of sharp sand, adding raised beds, or installing drainage tile is a necessity for poorly drained areas. Add organic matter, such as peat moss or humus, at the rate of one part organic matter to two parts soil. Thoroughly mix the soil. Manure should not be
Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, State of Indiana, Purdue University and U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating.  H.G. Diesslin, Director, Lafayette, Ind. Issued in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914.