In order for lilies to grow on our plots as reliable and perennial crops, you need to choose the right plant. Imported planting material often suffers from bulbs of unstable varieties that, when grown in our latitudes, will not last even two years. There are species intended for greenhouses. From the article you will gain knowledge about the most proven, best and most beautiful varieties of lilies.
Which variety should you choose?
The main requirements that many gardeners have for this culture are as follows:
- The plant should grow under existing conditions without requiring special attention.
- It is necessary for the lily to blend with other cultures and decorate the garden.
Unpretentiousness is the first point. Some lilies grow well in the gardenothers, for example, oriental lilies, are difficult to grow in plain conditions.
Classification
It will help you navigate the variety of species of this plant. So, there are wild varieties of lilies, as well as hybrids:
- Asian,
- Forest,
- Caucasian,
- American,
- Long-flowered,
- Tubular and Orleans
- Eastern,
- Other types.
Asian hybrids
Asiatic lilies are the largest group. Very popular due to their frost resistance and easy reproduction. Does not require frequent transplants, can grow in one place for several years... Propagated by daughter bulbs, blooms in the first half of July. The height of the most famous varieties reaches a meter, but there are also small species, their limit is 40 cm.
Bright pink lilies seem to be the most interesting and attractive, but their disadvantage is that they lose their decorative effect when they fade in the sun. Therefore, yellow varieties still look better.
Plants with heads looking up receive the largest number of votes, however, it is worth paying attention to their relatives, whose eyes look to the sides. Because they set a completely different tone and more harmoniously flow into flower beds... These are Jessica, Lighthouse, Peach Deligh varieties.
The Tango type and related cultures with numerous specks that merge into one central spot look very impressive. Varieties: Purple Heart, Purple Heart, White Pixels, Dune.
Another attractive type are lilies, called Brushmark, which are adjoined by relatives, whose petals seem to be touched by the artist's brush. These Asiatic lilies have the following names: Delta, Lady Alaine, Loretto, Unigunde.
Forest hybrids
These lilies with their heads turned down, are ideal for growing in climatic conditions of the middle zone. They do not need to be replanted for a long time, able to grow for a decade or more... Since it does not tolerate a transplant, it takes a long time to get used to it, the ideal place is partial shade.
Blooms on a high stem at the end of June. Plant height reaches 160 cm. The varieties have the following names: Karuselis, Gay Lights, Kalna Karalis, Jaunie Varti.
Tubular hybrids
There are unreliable representatives in this group. In a snowless and cold winter, they can die without mulch, suffer from unexpected late frosts in spring. More often susceptible to disease than the aforementioned Asian and forest hybrids... Therefore, over time, a bed with planted samples of tubular lilies gradually becomes empty, only the most hardy varieties remain, from which these hybrids were derived, for example Sargent. Tubular lilies bloom in late July, revealing fragrant flowers.Varieties: Zemgales Zelts, Vecumnieki, Pink Perfection, Golden Splendor group.
Other hybrids of lilies
Some groups of these hybrids are marked with a two-letter abbreviation, which indicates from the crossing of which groups of lilies such samples were obtained. For example: LO (Longiflorum x Oriental), LA (Longiflorum x Asiatic), etc. The latter group gives the impression of unpretentious and undemanding care.than similar to the Asian. They also bloom at about the same time, reproduction is quite good, varieties are slightly lower than Asian ones. Basically, the flowers are like a bowl, among the minuses is a tendency to fade. The LA group includes the following varieties: Evita, Suncrest, Royal Delight, Royal Mascarad.
The lilies of the OT group are distinguished by a heady aroma, intoxicating in early August. This group is also called Orientpet hybrids. The plants are truly impressive as they have strong and tall stems and huge flowers. The plant grows very slowly, so a lot of patience is needed. Mostly planted in a flower garden in the background behind Echinacea, which bloom at almost the same time. Can be planted behind tall geraniums. Among the lilies of the OT group stand out: Julie Fowlis, Robert Swanson, Nymph, Vivendum, Blueberry Crush.
TOP 10
Point number two, if you recall, argued that lilies need to be chosen so that they are liked and combined with other plants. It is quite difficult to evaluate lilies, since in one garden, they can look harmonious, and in another, they will not fit into the landscape... Therefore, it is better to pay attention to parameters such as decorativeness and other characteristics that are different from others, which put the sample above others. Asian hybrids are at the top of the list as they are easy to care for and also reproduce well, increasing the size of the garden.
An Asian lily called Aaron fascinates with its double white flowers. It goes well and looks beautiful against the background of blue flowers.
Greenish yellow tint in Royal Fantasy lily, which belongs to the LA group. Delightful bloom in mid-summer when later Asiatic lilies bloom. Its height is about 60 cm - not the most massive, so it is perfect for the first or second plan of a flower garden. The petals of the lily are firm, the bunch is dense. Dew drops give a special beauty.
Everita stands out from light yellow roses, which was bred by the breeder A. Krumins from Latvia. The first year of cultivation, it is not particularly beautiful, but after it reveals all its beauty.
A playful, joyful and sunny mood is set by the yellow lily Morning of freedom, which means "Morning of freedom". It was bred by Lithuanian breeders. The pale orange Donau, which belongs to the LA group, has a softer coloration. It is this plant with a bowl-shaped flower that should be present in the top ten.
The orange color is fiery, and I just want to “dim” it. For a garden, the Kriminaltango lily would be a good option, its petals "wear" dark spots. The varieties Orange Art and Supertango are almost identical. Red lilies are quite whimsical, darker, "solid" lilies grow better. The Judite flower blooms quite late, the heads are directed, which looks quite exquisite, to the side. The plant is tall.
The most famous maroon creatures are Dimension and Night Flye., the latter has smaller flowers. Two colors are perfectly combined in one flower, the beauty of which is unshakable - this is Netty's Pride. It harmoniously combines white and burgundy. Among the Asian hybrids, this is perhaps the most spectacular. The flowers resemble a star, attached to the stem on elongated cuttings, therefore, despite the fact that the buds open densely, the bunch does not look compressed.
Pink lilies have a number of disadvantages, so it is difficult to single out one. Some have soft petals that quickly crumble, others tend to fade, still others acquire an unnecessary yellowish tint. But despite these disadvantages, they still do not leave anyone indifferent due to their romantic color.Among them is the Koroleva variety, striking with its huge flowers of a spectacular shape and a stately warehouse.
Lilies replace the flowering of tulips and peonies, they decorate the garden at a time when there is a lack of decorative flowers. Beautiful cultures of various varieties will delight the eye, than will thank the hostess for her love and care.
