Larry has been the garden columnist for the Deseret Morning News for
over 15 years. His articles can be found in the Friday edition of the newspaper
Lilies
Lilies
Asiatic lilies are the most popular garden lily. Their upward or outward
facing flowers are available in the widest range of colors and are frequently
"freckled" with dark spots. Flowers are bright or pastel shades of almost
every color except blue. Asiatic lilies are among the first lilies to bloom
in the garden, many beginning in early June. These hybrid lilies are the
most durable lilies and multiply quickly. Their limitation is they lack
fragrance compared to some other lily types. Asiatic lilies are available
in a wide range of heights (2 to 5 feet) making them great for the back,
middle, or front of the border.
The "Pixie" series are dwarf types (1 to 2 feet) that are useful in
containers.
Variety
Color
Height
'Alpenglow'
blush
2 1/2 ft.
'Apollo'
white
2 1/2 ft.
'Connecticut King'
yellow
3 ft.
'Cote D'Azur'
fuschia
2 ft.
'Enchantment'
orange
3-4 ft.
'Grand Cru'
gold with maroon center
3 ft.
'Golden Pixie'
yellow-gold
1-2 ft.
'Jetfire'
rose-pink with yellow center
3 ft.
'LaToya'
dark pink-red
3 ft.
'Luxor'
cream with tangerine center
3-5 ft.
'Sorbet'
white with raspberry tips
3 ft.
'Montreux'
pink
2-3 ft.
'Shirley'
white with pale pink center
3-4 ft.
Oriental lilies
For fragrance and sheer bloom size, Oriental lilies win hands down. Their
showy, sweetly scented blooms begin in mid to late summer, as the Asiatic
hybrids are finishing. They come in splashy shades of white, pink, and
crimson. The open, reflexed petals are spotted, brushed, or edged with
darker or contrasting colors. Oriental hybrids are often taller than the
Asiatic types, reaching 3 to 6 feet. They need protection from the hot
afternoon sun and strong winds.
Variety
Color
Height
'Black Beauty'
dark crimson with white edge
4-6 ft.
'Casa Blanca'
pure white
4 ft.
'Journey's End'
dark pink spotted
4-6 ft.
'Le Reve'
pink spotted
3-4 ft.
'Mona Lisa'
rose pink with dark center
3 ft.
'Stargazer'
rose red with white edge
3-5 ft.
Trumpet lilies
Trumpet lilies bloom about the same time as the Oriental lilies. Trumpet
lilies have spotless, fused petals. Their flowers resemble a trumpet, hence
the common name. The highly fragrant, outward-facing flowers were once
available only in white and yellow, but recent hybridization with the Oriental
and Asiatic lilies are expanding the color palette. Trumpet lilies reach
4 to 8 feet tall and need protection from strong winds.
Variety
Color
Height
'African Queen'
golden orange with brown markings outside
4-6 ft.
'Bright Star'
creamy white with apricot throat
3-4 ft.
'First Love'
pink petals with apricot throat
4-5 ft.
'Golden Splendor'
gold with wine markings outside
3-4 ft.
'Heart's Desire'
creamy white with golden center
4-6 ft.
'Pink Perfection'
dark rose pink
5-6 ft.
Turk's cap lily
Another group of lilies not to be overlooked is the Martagon or Turk's
cap lily. The waxy flowers are smaller than other lilies and colors include
mauve, pink, burgundy, yellow-orange, yellow, and white. Many are spotted
or freckled. The petals of the downward-facing flowers are strongly reflexed,
creating a turban-like appearance, hence the name "Turk's cap." This woodland
native is one of the few lilies that will tolerate considerable shade.Height
ranges from 4 to 7 feet and is best in the middle or back of the border.
