Amateur in Floral, looking for advice..

13 years ago

Ok, let me get started here, I am young male who just likes the way lilies look and smell, I have been in my house for a little over a year. This will be my second summer. I have a sidewalk around my house, and would liek to plant various types of lilies. I would like a variety, I feel that a wide range of color does look good.

I am in the South Eastern part of Michigan. Where I would be planting the flowers they would get morning sun on one side of the house, and when the temp peaks for the day, is when the shade usually starts.

I am a male.... I like immediate gratification, and my mom whom I would like to help do this for me, has retired, and moved 4 hours away. I am new to the floral dept... So, would I be better off buying bulbs? or plants? Where would be the best places to go to get a variety~ most bang for the buck?

Any help is much appreciated!!

Thank You

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Comments (2)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
13 years ago
Good for you!! I don't intend this to be sexist but IME, most young males are not the slightest bit interested in gardening at all and flower gardening in particular. You are to be applauded for your interest :-)

Lilies are very easy to grow. All you need is a reasonable amount of sun and soil with decent drainage. I totally understand instant gratification - I am a big believer in that myself - but with lilies at this time of year, it's 6 of one, half dozen of the other :-) Both bulbs or potted starts will get you the same place at about the same time.....unless the potted starts have been forced. But the widest selection will be with bulbs.

A lily specialty nursery will get you by far the biggest selection to choose from but we are getting just a little late in the season for mail order. You should be able to still find a decent selection of lily bulbs ready for spring planting at most garden centers, including non-nursery type locations like Lowes, Home Depot, Costco, Walmart, etc. and these types of sources are generally not very expensive as well. You can investigate mail order as well but that may be best utilized for future seasons.

Asiatic lilies will offer the largest color variety but few with any fragrance. Oriental lilies, as well as trumpet/Aurelians, orinpets (hybrids) and some species lilies will offer fragrance but with a less varied color range. So try a few of any you can find :-) They also bloom at different times, so a wide selection of types can also produce a wide bloom cycle through much of the summer.

Plant average sized bulbs (2-3" diameter) around 6" deep - larger sized bulbs should be planted a bit deeper. Good drainage in the soil is essential. You might want to use some bulb fertilizer in the planting holes if you are unsure how great your soil fertility is but be sure to mix it in well with the soil before planting the bulbs -- fertilizer directly on exposed roots can be damaging. And you may want to keep an eye out for lily beetles in your area. They are not a problem where I live but I know they can be a concern in other parts of the country. Picking them off and dunking them in a can of soapy water is a good control and I'd assume you won't be squeamish about messing with insects :-)

Good luck to you and come back with any more questions.
interspecific
13 years ago
If you see a particular lily you like in a big box store, buy it--at least you can see what your getting! It's a good way for beginners to get started (which I once was) and a sure way to get 'hooked' on lilies. You'll have all summer to learn as you go along. Then, come next fall, you'll be waiting to see whats new out there with bulbs. When your potted lily is done flowering, pinch the spent flowers off, gently remove from pot as a 'clump' and plant 1 or 2 inches deeper than it was in the pot. Do not remove the main stem and leaves. Water in well and don't forget to put ID maker by the plant. Go easy on the fertilizer with lilies; they really don't need much. I use Bulbtone 5-10-5 or 5-5-5. worked gently in surface after blooming-about a teaspoon per plant. SE MICH has both the ideal climate and soil type for growing lilies--you're very fortunate. Let us know how things are coming along throughout the summer-and ask questions anytime.
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Amateur in Floral, looking for advice..

Comments (2)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

interspecific

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