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Lilies

Lilium Namara - Photograph Courtesy John Faull
Lilium Namara – Photograph Courtesy John Faull

Liliums – Bulbs and Plants

The flowers that we call Lilies are Lilium species and cultivars.  With over 100 species of Lilium bulbs for sale, these flowering bulbs provide a wide range of possibilities for the garden.

All varieties prefer a well drained soil with lots of well rotted compost, some protection from hot afternoon sun, and you have a good spot for liliums.

Asiatic Liliums are very popular although not scented. Lilium Longifolium are used extensively in the cut flower industry.

Lilium Plant Profile and Growing Hints

Liliums come in a range of forms Asiatic Hybridss, Oriental Liliums, Perfumed Trumpet Liliums, Lilium Longifolium x Asiatic (LA cross), OrientalLilium x Trumpet, Asiatic species and Species Lilium.

Oriental types have large flowers and are fragrant. Martagon Lilies with their nodding flowers are most attractive. A huge range of flower colors from white through to deep red.

Many liliums are fragrant and flowers can be spotted, or have a brush stroke appearance. Liliums mostly grow from bulbs and are deciduous.

Pictured Above Right is Lilium Namara – Photograph Courtesy John Faull, Golden Ray Gardens

LILIUM or LILY TYPES
Lilium-Pumilum
Asiatic-Lilium-prunotto
Asiatic-Lilium-Cer-Dazzle
Species Lilies.
Species lilies are as they were in the wild not hybridized. Species Lilies are native to a range of areas including Europe, Asia, India and America. Species lilies are the starting point for all of the hybrids. Some Species lilies are great hardy garden plants, some are difficult or ‘challenging’ to grow, but all are rewarding.
Asiatic Hybrids
Asiatic Hybrids have a huge color range from white through to deep red, are easy to grow and are the earliest to flower. The flowers of Asiatic Hybrid Lilies can be pendant, upward facing or downward facing and are in general Asiatic Hybrids are not fragrant. The most popular asiatic lilies seem to be the yellow and orange varieties, new varieties have spots, speckles and brushmarks.
Martagon Hybrids
Martagon Hybrid Lilies or martagon hansonii are sometimes referred to as ‘Turks Caps’. Downward facing flowers with lots of flowers growing on tall stems. Martagon Liliies prefer a shaded position and like to be well mulched, leave undisturbed for best results.
Candidum Hybrid Lilies
Candidum Hybrids flower in early summer, generally white fragrant flowers also referred to as ‘madonna lilies’. Plant these only10cm deep. Really a beatiful lily.
Longiflorum
Long trumpet shaped flowers, used a lot in floristry, Longiflorum are a little fussy to grow. White is the common form however yellow forms are now available.
Trumpet Lily
Growing up to 2.5m Trumpet Lilies are giants, a wide range of colors from white through to purple. New shorter growing types of Trumpet Lilies are available, but why not look for the tall ones.
Oriental Hybrids
Oriental Hybrids have great color and great fragrance, pure white through to deep purple. Oriental Hybrids are smaller that asiatics oriental hybrid lilies. Oriental Hybrids prefer semi shade, a humus rich well drained soil and mulch to keep the roots cool.
Orienpets and other hybrids
Orienpets are a cross between Oriental Lilies and Trumpet Lilies. Other crosses between divisions are plentiful. Orienpets are fairly tough and will cope with colder conditions.
American Hybrids
American hybrids are hybrids of lilies native to North America. Interesting ballon like flowers these lilies like a shaded position with humus rich soil and a cool root run

Lilium Bulbs are available for sale from the following growers and nurseries

VAN DIEMEN QUALITY BULBS
VAN DIEMEN QUALITY BULBS
365 Lighthouse Rd Wynyard. TAS 7325
PH 03 6442 2012 
email to: sales@vdqbulbs.com.au 
www.vdqbulbs.com.au
Golden Ray Liliums
GOLDEN RAY GARDENS Lilium Specialists -phone 03 9751 1395 
1 Monash Avenue Olinda Victoria 3788
Asiatic Hybrid Liliums, Oriental Liliums, Perfumed Trumpets, Longifolium x Asiatic (LA cross), Oriental x Trumpet, Dwarf Pot Asiatics and Species Lilium.
www.goldenray.com.au
Tonkin Bulbs
BRYAN H TONKIN - Ph (03) 9728 1295 Fax (03) 9728 1299
'Sylvan Vale' 375 Olinda Creek Rd, Kalorama, VIC.3766 
Including a large range of Rare and unusual bulbs, corms and perennials
www.tonkinsbulbs.com.au
Hillview Rare Plants
HILLVIEW RARE PLANTS- phone (03) 62240770
400 Huon Rd South Hobart TAS 7004
Cool climate bulbs for the collector and the gardener. Wide range of crocus, cyclamen, galanthus and fritillaria in Australia
www.hillviewrareplants.com.au
White House Nursery
WHITE HOUSE NURSERY - Jess Exiner & Peter Harris
412 James Lane, Fern Hill VIC. 3458 - Phone 0419002651
Large range of Rare plants, Climbers, Bulbs, Perennials Fruit Trees, Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. Available both Retail and by Mail Order 
www.whitehousenursery.com.au
Tesselaar Bulbs
TESSELAAR BULBS - Phone: 1300 428 527
357 Monbulk Road SILVAN VIC 3795
Guaranteed "garden worthy" bulbs, plants and perennials. Visit the website to browse our large range of daffodils or request the latest free catalogue.
www.tesselaar.net.au
FROGMORE GARDENS
FROGMORE GARDENS - phone 03 5424 1777
Blackwood Rd Newbury VIC 3458
email:sales@frogmoregardens.com.au
Herbaceous perennial. Grass & prairie plants specialists. Mail Order & personal shopping.
www.frogmoregardens.com.au
Garden Express
GARDEN EXPRESS - phone :1300 606 242
470 Monbulk-Silvan Road Monbulk VIC 3793
"Guaranteed mail order flowering bulbs, perennials, roses, trees, landscaping plants, garden accessories and community fundraising Austra lia-wide."
www.gardenexpress.com.au
RAITHBY PLANT NURSERY
RAITHBY PLANT NURSERY - phone: 03 63 262583
P.O. Box 589 Mowbray Heights Tasmania 7248
Mail order: Suppling a range of bulbs and pere nnial plants suitable for pots and troughs. Includes Alliums
www.raithbyplants.com.au
Lake Nurseries
LAKE NURSERIES PTY LTD - Phone: 03 9756 6157 Fax: 03 9752 1012
Postal: PO BOX 336, SILVAN VIC 3795
Large range of Bulbs and Perennials for the garden.
www.lakenurseries.com.au
Vogelvry Bulbs
VOGELVRY BULBS and FLOWERS- Phone (03) 62613153 
P.O. Box 369 New Norfolk TAS 7140
Huge range of Spring and Summer flowering Bulbs 
www.vogelvry.com.au
Lynn's Rare Plants
LYNN'S RARE PLANTS
PO Box 7040 Leura NSW 2780
Rare woodland plants, Trilliums Epimediums, Arisaemas, plus much more.www.lynnsrareplants.com.au
MISTYDOWNS - Unusual Perennials and Climbing Plants
MISTYDOWNS - Phone 03 534 5 2847
P O Box 398 Creswick Vic 3363 
Retail & Mail Order Specialist Growers of Heritage Roses, Unusual Perennials, Tree & Herbaceous Peonies. Mail order and Nursery Sales.
www.mistydowns.com.au
Broersen Plants
BROERSEN PLANTS
Large range of Perennial and Border Plants including bulbs. Also Vegetable and Berry Fruits plants including, Blueberries, Currants, Raspberries and Strawberries. Rhubarb, Seed Potatoes and many other edible plants for the home garden. Visit the web site for online ordering and catalogue: 
www.broersen.com.au

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