Lilium spp. Plant Particulars Zones: 2 to 9 Height: 1 to 7 feet Spread: Varies by species Shape: Tall, slender stalks topped with a cluster of flowers Color: White, yellow, orange, red, or pink flowers; green leaves Bloom time: Spring, summer Light needs: Full sun to partial shade Soil: Average; well drained This large group of plants offers such a wide range of sizes, colors, and shapes that you're sure to find some to suit your garden. These perennials grow from bulbs that lack the papery brown covering (tunic) of bulbs such as tulips and daffodils. From the center of the bulb rises a tall stalk, which is clothed in leaves that may be narrow and grasslike, or wide and more swordlike. Nodding or upright flowers may be trumpet-, star-, or bowl-shaped. Lilies are available in various bloom colors, many of which have dark spots or streaks on the petals. Combine lilies with baby's breath, hostas, asters, and other bushy perennials that will hide the bases of the lily stems. Or, plant generous groupings with ornamental grasses and vines. If you plant tall lilies, you'll probably need to stake them. Insert a stake near the stem, taking care not to spear the bulb when you put the stake in the ground. Tie the stem loosely to the stake. Mail Order Sources: B&D Lilies, Port Townsend, WA; 360-765-4341, lilybulb.com, bdlilies.com Brent & Becky's Bulbs, Gloucester, VA; 804-693-3966, brentandbeckysbulbs.com Old House Gardens Heirloom Bulbs, Ann Arbor, MI; 734-995-1486, oldhousegardens.com The Lily Garden, Vancouver, WA; 360-253-2512 (24-hour fax), thelilygarden.com The Lily Nook, Neepawa, Manitoba, Canada, lilynook.mb.ca
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