Best time to order lily bulbs and best type to get?

14 years ago

I've been gardening for a few years now and I want to get some lily bulbs to go behind my roses in my backyard. The area is clay soil, full sun, and on a hill. I want to know when is the best time to plant them in my area (spring or fall) and what type should I get? I'd like to get something fragrant and fairly sturdy so I was leaning towards the Orienpet lilies but I was also looking at the Longiflorum Asiatic lilies. I was thinking of buying a mix from John Scheepers and supplementing with a few individuals from other places like Bluestone.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

hostaholic2 z 4, MN
14 years ago
Fall is the ideal planting time for lilies. As to what kind to get, it really depends on what you like. The La's I have all have nice sturdy stems, fragrance is very light, if you want more fragrance I'd suggest the Orienpets or trumpets for the strongest fragrance. I like The Lily Garden as a bulb source.
athenainwi
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the advice. I did see a few on the Lily Garden that looked nice but they are too expensive to buy a lot from. I might buy the Orienpet collection from John Scheepers and then get a few others from the Lily Garden to supplement. When do you order for fall planting? Is now too early?
Related Professionals
Athens Landscape Contractors · Dixon Landscape Contractors · Elmhurst Landscape Contractors · Forest Hills Landscape Contractors · Goodlettsville Landscape Contractors · Hoover Landscape Contractors · The Villages Landscape Contractors · Winchester Landscape Contractors · Hawaiian Gardens Landscape Contractors · Norridge Landscape Contractors · Baton Rouge Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Manchester Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Marlboro Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Rocklin Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · West Palm Beach Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures
hostaholic2 z 4, MN
14 years ago
Now is a good time to be placing orders, if you wait to long they may sell out of some varieties.
athenainwi
Original Author
14 years ago
That's what I figured. I came up with a list that includes Orienpets, Trumpets, and Asiatics from John Scheepers and the Lily Garden. Now I just have to convince my husband to let me get them (he has to help plant them all so he does get a say in it).
jaceysgranny
14 years ago
I ordered from Hallson's and Brent and Becky's during their clearance sale the end of June and first of July. They both sent nice sized bulbs which most are already blooming. I took some pictures today and as soon as I get the names to the plants together I will post pics on the gallery side.

Get ready to get the fever when you start adding lilies to your gardens. ;-)
Nancy
joannemb
14 years ago
Hostaholic2....
By "La's" Do you mean L/A hybids? I just tried looking it up and that's all I could find. Here is a link to one:

http://www.qscaping.com/NetPS-Engine.asp?CCID=20000010&page=pdpprint&PID=2734

Is this the type of lily you mean? Looking for ones that have nice stiff stems and don't get too wide. What is special about the hybrids? Trying to learn as much as I can, and right now am planning on planting some Asiatic and Orietals for blooms throughout the summer. Could I replace one of those varieties with the L/A hybrid because they don't flop as much? Thanks for you help and experience! :)
Vicki
14 years ago
If you have clay soil, you may have trouble with trumpet lilies. I have not been able to get trumpet lilies to survive winters and I have been told that it is due to our clay soil here.