Adrian’s Lillies:
I bought the first lily bulb 4 years ago. I was one day passing the Red Triangle store and thought they’d look nice in our garden area. It is an Oriental Lily but I did think it was a Jersey Lily (Amaryllis belladonna) but not. We had been looking to spruce up our little garden area and had tried many ideas. Tomatoes, wild flowers, cherries and the usual summer flowers.
Oriental lily cultivars, however, tend to have larger flowers. Orientals also thrive in cooler regions and can tolerate less than ideal soil conditions. To answer the question, “What is an Oriental lily?” we first need to concede what a true lily is. There are many flowering plants referred to as lilies, but only true lilies are in the genus Lilium. They spring from bulbs with scales on the exterior and no protective skin.
My idea of gardening was (and still is) I dig a hole, plant the bulb and forget about it, hoping for the best.
First year the lilies sprouted but never really took off. I had zero idea what to expect so I let them carry on being as nature intended.
Following year, the one lily EXPLODED in a riot of bloom, wow. So big and amazing. I had no idea they would be that big. So I went out and bought another one. I’m not much of a gardener. The second one didn’t take an extra year to bloom, it too exploded with colour, alongside the first one, the following year. Both of them growing even taller than the first year.
Asiatic and Oriental are two of the most popular forms of true lilies available. Asian lilies bloom in June to July while Oriental bulbs start to appear in August. Both are quite easy to grow with thick, rigid stems, strappy leaves and showy flowers.
I was pretty much hooked on looking after these lilies. I bought a third (and final) bulb last year, and as you can see that one has shot up too. Even noticed an offshoot, which had been trailing along the soil amongst the other plants, separate from the main stem. That too has flowered, a single flower, which is now like my special baby, who I’m looking forward to seeing how it too grows.
The only other flower I’m looking after now are the Gladioli. (last year) Someone else (Fiona or Kathryn) bought these bulbs, which are so stunning, bright vibrant red. After the first bloom I took the bulbs out and kept them in a cool dark place as I was told that was what to do. I wasn’t sure they would regrow, but I shouldn’t have doubted. They all shot up and now one of them is started to bloom again that fantastic magical red.
Oriental lilies are larger than their Asian counterpart and very fragrant, making them popular additions to the cut flower garden. Many Oriental lilies may grow 3 to 6 feet (1-2 m.) in height, much taller than Asiatic lilies.
I live in town, with no access to a garden. So, I find it fascinating and interesting to see a garden grow. And to get my hands dirty.