So far, I don't have a major vole problem, so my bulbs do fine in the ground. However, I would be a little concerned about moisture using plastic pots - either too much or too little, since the sides of the pot wouldn't let moisture in or out, so the only avenues for moisture to move would be the top or the holes in the bottom. I have also seen roots get slightly strangled in pot-bound plants I have purchased, as they grew out the holes. As well, the voles can dig down into the pots from the top, unless you cover the tops with wire. I would think wire cages would be better. While the price has gone up from what it used to be - and what hasn't!!?? - a roll of quarter-inch-mesh hardware cloth isn't exorbitant, and it will make a lot of cages that will allow for free water and root penetration. You could make a cardboard template, to get the size/shape to make 4 sides with top and bottom, and either use wire, or the j-hooks people use to make rabbit cages. Sorry, but I don't know a source for those, maybe your local farm supply store? Come to think of it, you might want to make the tops out of wide-mesh chicken wire, so the stems have room to grow up. And, it may be that tops aren't needed after all, since, as I said, I have no vole experience.

Hi Rick: I buy from 3 suppliers: Vesey's (PEI) has a fairly good selection - nothing unusual but well priced and guaranteed Breck's Canada - large variety - from Holland and a little more expensive The Lily Garden (Vancouver) - a very large selection and a bit more expensive; guaranteed and reliable These all have online catalogues and some will send you a paper catalogue if requested. Occasionally I pick up a few packages of 'sales' items from Canadian Tire. For example, a 5-pack of Orientals (Dizzy) bought this spring, started indoors, blooming now. If you know how to verify the condition of the bulbs through the packaging, you can pick up a number of deals. Hope this helps.

Hi minflick, I don't have many asiatics, but I have a number of orientals and trumpets. leaf placement isn't that different between Oriental hybrids and Asiatic hybrids. Asiatic leaves tend to be more slender, though not as "grass-like" as the trumpets. The best way to tell Orientals and Asiatics apart is by their blooms. The most dramatic difference will be bloom time and fragrance. Asiatics are the earliest blooming lilies and are blooming now in my zone, (in your zone they may be already finished ). Orientals don't bloom until July-August. Orientals have a strong "spicy" fragrance while the great majority of Asiatics have no fragrance at all. (There are some new hybrids with a very light fragrance - not likely to be found in a bin.) They also differ in the shape of their blooms and their arrangement on the stem. Both blooms have a overall bowl shape with a little recurve to the petals, but Oriental lilies have a "ruffled edge" and Asiatics a smooth edge on their petals. Oriental blooms are carried sequentially along the stem, Asiatic blooms all come from the tip of the stem in an "upside down umbrella shape called an "umbrel". Also, many Oriental lilies get quite tall in good garden conditions. There are a couple shorter hybrids, Mona Lisa (2') and Muscadet (2'-3') but in general 3' is small for an established oriental. Of course there are exceptions to every rule (especially among the species lilies), but the wide separation in bloom time will be the most reliable rule to use to distinguish them. As for digging them up most Oriental bulbs are a bright yellow when freshly dug (the color fades) and Trumpet bulbs are purple. I think Asiatic bulbs are white, but I'm not sure. Maybe someone else knows that. If the flowers are the same as far as you can tell, they may all be Asiatics. -Helen

Oh am I glad I peeked into this post. I really enjoy lilies. First I can't say enough for The Lily Garden. Judy at TLG is a peach. She talked me through the scaling process (it works!) and then talked me through hybridizing. I ordered many many lilies from her and what she does for me is amazing...she will write on the label, tetraploid, diploid or triploid, she will also indicate which plants are sterile or pod fertile and perhaps give me ideas of crossing this with that. I will always be greatful for her help and will order from them forever. (I don't work there and never been there in person. I'm only a satisfied customer). Asiatic 'Vermeer' - I have this lily in full sun, it is a light pink with a creamy eyezone. It does hold a beautiful pink color fairly well until it ages, then it does fade. My favorites are the strongly scented Orientals, Trumpets and Aurelian lilies. I love working in my gardens when these babies are blooming the sent is downright intoxicating. The oriental lilies prefer acid soil thus the problem with your bulbs petering out after a time. I use a granular fertilizer around them for azaleas, rhododendrons which has a high acidity in it allowing a better survival rate with my oriental lilies. I also like Orienpets but the fragrance is not as strong. My favorites that do so well in my gardens are: Asiatics, which bloom in June & July: Asiatic 'Red Velvet' - a beautiful red with recurved flower petals and I've seen the hummingbird constantly fly around this when in bloom. Asiatic 'Tiger Babies' - is awesome, many pinky/peachy blooms with recurved petals. It has small dots in the throat similar to the orange tiger lilies, but this one is beautiful. Asiatic 'White Lace' - you did not mention white, but this is a worthy white to own. This one towered easily at 4 feet and had the beautiful white recurved flowers with purple on the backs of the petals. Gorgeous. (Heirloom Lace is similar and just as nice..it gets a bit taller than White Lace). Asiatic 'Blackout' - this one is absolutely stunning dark black/red in color. Looks magnificent paired with my dark burgundy ninebark (Summer Wine) and a lime colored elderberry (goldenlocks). Asiatic 'Chippendale' - Ya have to get this one...if not for the name alone. ha ha. Seriously, it is a very nice bright lavender pink with recurved petals and gorgeous! Trumpets which bloom in July and August (My ultimate favorite for fragrance): Ice Caves - A beautiful white with a green throat spreading into the midribs of the lilies petals. Stunning! Copper Crown - light orange in color with purple on the back of the flowers petals. Midnight - Dark purple in color. Lady Alice - creamy white with orange bursting from the eye and out into the petals. Very striking. Black Magic - very dark purple. Orientpets which bloom in July and August: Luminaries - Cream colored with orange, yellow and green in a combination flowing through the eye and into the petals. Very complex color combination. (Quintessence, is similary to Luminaries and just as pretty) Catherine the Great - this lily was as tall as I this summer (5'7") It is a creamy white flower with a yellow eye reaching out into the petals. Scheherazade - Is a very popular one that I see in many gardens. It is a stiking white with rosy/red within the petals. The flower petals are recurved and this one blooms on forever with all it's blooms. (Anastasia & Leslie Woodriff are similar except the coloring is more rose and no red.) I better quit. I really enjoy my lilies and wouldn't be without them. Unfortunately, I am a plant collector and have way to many different perennials...not to mention these beautiful lilies. ha ha