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Asiatic Hybrid Lilies At A Glance

Asiatic Hybrid Lilies are long-lived plants from bulbs that bloom in mid-summer. Many are hardy in USDA zones 3-9, but hardiness and adaptability will vary by variety, so double-check before you buy. Asiatic Hybrids are considered medium-sized lilies typically growing 2 to 4 ft. tall. However, their mature height also varies by variety, so please read individual descriptions for details about ultimate size and their unique, bold flower color options. Asiatic bulbs do not have to be dug out during winter and most can be planted in spring or fall.

Asiatic Hybrid Lily Planting Instructions

Plant Asiatic lilies in organically rich soils with excellent drainage in a full sun location.

NOTE: Lilies do not thrive in clay or heavy soils with poor drainage. Proper supplemental water is needed during periods of growth, but lily bulbs will rot if they are sitting in continually damp soil.

If you have clay soils, plant lily bulbs in raised beds or in containers.
As with any bulbs, blending bone meal, Espoma® Bulb-tone®, or super/rock phosphate fertilizer with organically amended soil to plant Asiatic Lilies into can be beneficial.
Plant Asiatic lily bulbs 8 inches deep and space them 10-12 inches apart.
Once planted, mulch over the top to help maintain consistently cool soil.
In warmer zones Asiatic lilies will appreciate a location that gets some afternoon shade.
In any zone, lily bulbs can be good companions around the base of other shrubs or perennials that help to visually obscure their foliage as they start to seasonally fade.
Remove blooms as they fade but leave the stem and foliage to wither and yellow naturally, as this returns the needed energy to the bulb allowing it to grow and bloom well the next season.

Oriental Hybrid Lilies

Oriental Hybrids lilies are the queens of the lily world with their big, flamboyant blooms that can have stunning colors and patterns. Many of these hybrid blooms are quite fragrant and they typically bloom in late summer during July to August.

Oriental Hybrid Lily Planting Instructions

Plant Oriental lilies in organically rich soils with excellent drainage in a full sun location, or afternoon shade in warmer climates.

If you have clay soils, plant lily bulbs in raised beds or in containers.
As with any bulbs, blending bone meal, Espoma® Bulb-tone®, or super/rock phosphate fertilizer with organically amended soil to plant Asiatic Lilies into can be beneficial.
Plant Oriental lily bulbs 8 inches deep and space them about 10-12 inches apart.
Plant them in groups and then group those groups for the highest quality display.
Once planted, mulch over the top to help maintain consistently cool soil.
Oriental hybrids are adaptable, sturdy, and disease resistant.
Remove spent blooms but leave the stems and foliage to wither naturally, returning energy back to the bulbs.
Bulbs do not need to be dug in the fall.

Tiger Lilies

Tiger lilies are named for their highly spotted 3-5-inch sized, graceful blooms with recurved petals. These are durable and vigorous plants that grow from bulbs native to China and Japan. These easy-to-grow, desirable landscape plants are available with many different flower colors including, white, yellow, orange, pink, and red. All are suitable for planting in USDA zone 3-8.

Tiger Lily Planting Instructions

Plant Tiger lilies in well-drained, organically rich soils for the best performance.
Avoid heavy, wet soils as you would for any other bulbs.
Blend soil as needed with the phosphorus-based fertilizer noted above, to help give new bulbs a boost.
Plant bulbs 8 inches deep and space them 8-10 inches apart.
Stalks that grow 3-4 ft. tall in optimal conditions, can produce many blooms on each.
Tiger lilies typically bloom from late summer into September.
Healthy bulbs will continue to grow to form large colonies with time.

Canna Lilies

While they are not true lilies, they remain in this most recognizable grouping. Canna lilies are tropical-looking plants with big, luscious leaves. Many cultivars sport dramatically variegated and uniquely colored leaves that make them stunning plants even when they are not in bloom. They produce colorful blooms on stalks that rise above the foliage in dramatic shades of red, orange, and yellow, with some spotted or mottled and some have more subtle pastel shades of pink, peach, or apricot.

NOTE: Cannas are root hardy only to USDA zones 7, which means in colder climates their tuberous roots must be dug and stored for the winter, or they can be grown in large containers to be brought in for winter protection.

Plant Canna lilies in warm sunny locations in deep organically rich, but well-draining soils.
Canna tubers should be planted horizontally, 1-3 inches deep and spaced 1.5 to 2.5 ft. apart.

TIP: Starting Cannas in containers indoors offers a more controlled start and plants will get a jump on the growing season. Use fresh pre-moistened potting soil to fill 6-8-inch pots about 1/2 full, then set the tuber horizontally and cover to 1 inch and keep consistently moist. As the new shoots start to grow, more soil can be added until the pot is about 3/4 full. Once frost has passed, harden them off for 1 week, then plant out in a sunny suitable location.

Cannas can be grown in pots successfully, but make sure the container is large enough to encourage good growth and blooming. A minimum pot size of 18 inches high & wide can be used for 1 tuber.

NOTE: Overcrowding causes poor growth and little to no blooming.

Maintain regular supplemental watering. Big leaves require good amounts of water. Cannas are not shy about living in the sun or heat, but they require good amounts of water to do so.
Fertilizing with a complete, naturally derived water-soluble flowering plant-specific food as ALGOPlus 4-6-7 applied bi-monthly, starting 4-6 weeks after planting out can enhance growth and bloom.

Lilies Care - Maintenance After Establishment

After the first frost in fall, cut all the canna stems to the ground, then carefully lift the root clump using a garden fork or spade. Divisions can be taken at this time if needed.
Remove as much soil as possible and place roots in a dry, well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight for a few days allowing them to dry fully.
After this drying, shake or rub more soil off making sure that the clump is fully dry. Too much moisture can lead to rotting while in storage.
Once the clump is fully dry and store it in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place in open paper bags or crates of bins. It is best to not stack clumps. Add wood shavings or dry peat for protection if needed.
In the spring remove root clumps to start early in pots or plant out after all threat of frost has passed.