Scientific Name
Lilium - Oriental hybrids
Common Name
Lilies, Oriental hybrid lilies
LILIUM - ORIENTAL HYBRIDS
(Cultivars are available with white, pink and red flowers.)
A. Flowering Characteristics
Lilium flowers in mid-summer (July/August) for 2-3 weeks (each cultivar) and plants are 2-6 feet tall, depending on the cultivar. Flowers are fragrant.
B. General Characteristics
1. Origin of species: Hybrids of species from Asia
2. Common names: Lilies, Oriental Lilies
3. Geophyte organ: Non-tunicated bulb
4. Hardiness type: Hardy I - Injured at temperatures below 23 degrees F (-5C).
5. Natural reproductive systems and growth and development requirements: Reproduces by scale bulblets and requires a warm (60 to 70F)- cool (30 to 35F) - warm (60 to 70F) annual thermoperiodic cycle.
6. Primary uses: Beds, fresh cut flowers, and borders.
C. Cultural Information
1. Bulb sizes: 12/14, 14/16, 16/18, 18/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: Spring
5. Perennialization habit: 1990 USDA Climatic Zones 5 to 6 with mulch, Zones 7 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:
Coreopsis, 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. 'Star Gazer'

L. 'Little Girl'

L. Oriental Hybrid

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.