Scientific Name
Lilium - Asiatic hybrids
Common Name
Lilies, Asiatic hybrid lilies
LILIUM - ASIATIC HYBRIDS
(Cultivars are available with yellow, orange, pink, red, white and bicolored flowers.)
A. Flowering Characteristics
Lilium flowers in early summer (June/July) for 2-3 weeks (each cultivar) and plants are 2-4 feet tall, depending on the cultivar.
B. General Characteristics
1. Origin of species: Hybrids of species from Asia, Europe and North America
2. Common names: Lilies, Asiatic lilies
3. Geophyte organ: Non-tunicated bulb
4. Hardiness type: Hardy III - Injured at temperatures below 5 degrees F (-15C) when planted.
5. Natural reproductive systems and growth and development requirements: Reproduces by scale bulblets and requires a warm (60 to 70F) - cool (28 to 32F) - warm (60 to 70F) annual thermoperiodic cycle.
6. Primary uses: Beds, sunny borders, and fresh cut flowers.
C. Cultural Information
1. Bulb sizes: 10/12, 12/14, 14/16, 16/up cm, in circumference.
2. Planting density: 4-6 inches apart, 4 per sq. ft.
3. Planting depth: 8 inches to base of the bulb.
4. Planting time: Fall or spring.
5. Perennialization habit: 1990 USDA Climatic Zones 3 to 4 with mulch, Zones 5 to 9 without mulch.
6. Light requirements: Full sunlight to PM only sunlight.
7. Moisture: Tolerates some summer drought, but needs moisture during growing season.
8. Animal susceptibility: Not reported.
D. Companion Plants:
Campanula, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Hemerocallis (yellow cvs.), Kniphofia (yellow cvs.), Leucanthemum (Shasta daisies), Peonies (white and yellow cvs.), Rudbeckia, Salvia, Verbascum (white cvs.), Buddleia, Hibiscus syriacus, Acer palmatum, Lagerstroemia.

L. 'Enchantment'

L. 'Ikaria'

L. 'Pollyanna'

L. 'Make Up'

Holland Technical Service Bulletin Number 37 was prepared for the WWW system by A.A. De Hertogh, L.B. Gallitano, G. Hartley, M.E. Traer, and A.B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University. The information was obtained not only from original research conducted by the authors but also from databases released by other sources. This Bulletin was published by the International Flower Bulb Center (IBC), Hillegom, the Netherlands on behalf of the Dutch Flower Bulb Industry. Because of the various climates in North America and year-to-year variability of the weather, the IBC cannot and does not accept responsibility for divergent results that may arise using information obtained from this document or site. Photographs copyright @1997 by A.B. Russell and A.A. De Hertogh. Computer programming by Miguel Buendia, graphics by Brad Capel.