Asiatic Lilies: Corsica, Connecticut King, Enchantment And Lily Plant Care

Once in a blue moon, something of great value comes along without requiring great effort. For example,consider the lilies. or Asiatic lilies to be exact. The hardiest member of the lily family, the Asiatic lily generously unfolds its varied and striking blooms for beginner gardeners and green thumbs alike. Life is high maintenance enough as it is; why not take advantage of a delightful flower that is not?

Asiatic lilies grow best in U.S.D.A.

zones three to ten, which covers most of the United States. These generally upfacing, unscented flowers come in countless color variations and combinations. The most popular Asiatic lily colors are white, yellow, orange, and pink. Different species bloom in different months, but all Asiatic lilies flourish for a long season and multiply quickly.

Gardeners should plan to have a long-term relationship with the fruits of these generous bulbs. Plant care for Asiatic lilies is important, though not rigorous. Basic plant care for Asiatic lilies is really quite simple. First, select a location where the soil is 16-18 inches deep and the flowers will receive at least six to eight hours of sun each day. American bulbs are usually available in the fall, while Dutch lily bulbs are available in the spring. Shopping is easy with the vast selection available from online catalogs. A few places to find Asiatic lilies and bulbs are Lilybulb.com, Dutchgardens.com, and Thelilygarden.com.

Once the bulbs are received, they should be handled with kid gloves and be placed six inches deep in dirt within ten days. Three inches of space between bulbs will keep the flowers from crowding each other. Fertilizer should be used in three stages: as newly buried bulbs, when shoots surface, and immediately after blossoming. Asiatic lilies need staking or netting only once they grow to be twenty-four inches. Trickle, ooze, and soaker irrigation are most effective in keeping soil pleasantly moist rather than dangerously wet.

The time has come to harvest Asiatic lilies once the lowermost bud's color has ripened, but before it has begun to open. Asiatic lilies will last the longest of their 7-14 day vase life with the help of floral preservatives like Crystal Clear or Floralife.

All Asiatic lilies are stunning, but a few celebrity specimens stand out in the lineup. The Corsica Lily is a delicate white flower covered with a faint pink hue that creates a porcelain-like effect. The Conneticut King, rare for its unlily-like perfume, sports vibrant yellow petals and a slightly orange middle. The Enchantment Lily blooms the most eye-catching shade, its orange-red glow freckled with brownish spots sure to steal the spotlight of any garden. A portrait is worth a thousand words, and curious gardeners would benefit from browsing for the perfect shade on The Lily Garden's alphabetical index.

While the variety available to gardeners interested in Asiatic lilies is thrilling, brides can also benefit from a flower capable of complimenting any wedding motif. Sons and lovers can also get excited, seeing as how Mother's Day and Valentine's Day are holidays just begging to be spiced up with a blossom called by any other name than rose. Flower-lovers with annoying fragrance allergies can breathe easy—even with a bouquet of Enchantment or Corsica on their dining room table. Just stay away from the Connecticut King!

Whether trying a hand at beginner gardening, adding a timelessly graceful flower to a seasoned garden, or hunting down for the perfect bouquet for an event or loved one, anyone and everyone can enjoy this stylish flower. Go ahead—consider the lilies. Asiatic lilies.

Sources:
Balge, Russell. "Production of Hybrid Lilies as Cut Flowers." College of Agriculture and Natural Resources: University of Maryland. 1996. 8 May 2007. http://www.agnr.umd.edu/MCE/Publications/Publicati on.cfm?ID=39.
Easy to Grow, Unscented Asiatics. LilyBulb.com. 2006. B&D Lillies. 8 May 2007. http://www.lilybulb.com/easyasiatics.html.
Connecticut King. Gardening. BBC Home. 8 May 2007. http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder /plant_pages/7068.shtml.
Hanchek, Anne M. and Jane E. Bolla. "Selecting Lilies for Your Garden." University of Minnesota Extension. Nov. 2004. 8 May 2007. http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticul ture/DG1112.html.
Asiatic Lilies. Dutch Gardens. 8 May 2007. http://www.dutchgardens.com/Asiatic-Lilies/default /StandardCatalog.19596.cat.
The Lily Garden. 2006. 8 May 2007. http://www.thelilygarden.com/pages_general/index_a lpha_images.html.
Tell Me About Asiatic Lilies. Snow Creek Gardens. 2006. B&D Lilies. 8 May 2007.
http://www.bdlilies.com/asiatics.html.