Iowa Regional Lily Society     (IRLS)
Growing Lilies in Iowa and neighboring states since 1973
Welcome to our Lily Know-How web pages!
You can find basic knowledge here on choosing, planting, hybridizing  and other Lily
Know-How tips. Many of these articles are contributed by our own IRLS members.
Watch for NEW ones as we grow----
        
Asiatic Lilies
Around 1950, famous Oregon-based hybridizer Jan de Graaf introduced what he called his Mid-Century Hybrids. These were
shorter and sturdier than the Oriental lilies that were then most popular.They were hardy in the garden, offered excellent long-
lived cut flowers for the vase and had upright, not hanging, flowers. Today, we call this category asiatic lilies, one of the most
popular categories of lilies on the market.

Indeed, they are the largest category of lilies available today and remain prized for their straight stems, evenly stepped foliage,
profusion of buds and bright flowers. The blooms vary in shape from flowers with simple open bowls to flowers with curved
petals. Colors range from the most delicate pastels to bold reds and oranges.

You can plant these lilies almost anywhere, especially in brightest sunshine with lots of gay garden plants for company. They
have the broadest color range of any division, including whites, pinks, plums, yellows, oranges, and reds. Their flowers can be
upfacing, outfacing, or pendant, and generally are not scented. Easy to produce and prolific, they are less expensive than other
lilies and are a perfect choice for arrangements that call for masses of color.

LA Hybrids
LA Hybrids are a new category of lilies, introduced in 1992.LA hybrid lilies are named not for the city of Los Angeles but for their
parentage. These colorful hybrids are a cross between longiflorum lilies (L) and asiatic hybrids (A). These new crossings
combine the color range of the asiatics with the elegant flower form and fragrance of the longiflorums, which are also known as
Easter lilies. These lilies boast a strong stalk and thrive in full sun or part shade. LAs make a stand very quickly in a garden.

From the longiflorum, the LA hybrid gets a signature trumpet shape, great strength and long vase life. From the asiatics, the new
hybrids inherit warmer colors and an upright calyx (the green outer spiral of leaf that holds the flower head up). While the asiatic
varieties continue to be the most plentiful lily varieties, experts say they are fast being overtaken by the new LA hybrids.

Oriental Lilies
Oriental lilies are known for large flowers,delicious scent and lovely colors. Orientals are the royalty of lily flowers, the queen of
the queens. Oriental blooms are larger and more spectacular than other lilies. Their elegant recurved petals, lovely long
stamens and distinctive center markings, make orientals the stars of any floral arrangement. A single stem in a vase makes a
regal statement – even one blossom floating in a bowl catches the eye. A massed arrangement can be electrifying.

Despite their great beauty, orientals are not delicate.  A single stem can produce six to eight flowers. These hybrids are often
appreciated for the colorful raised freckles on their petals. Oriental lilies have huge flowers with wonderful fragrance in shades
of white, pink,salmon, and crimson. Give them partial shade, plenty of water, humus-rich soil that is slightly acid and mulch for a
cool root run.

OT Hybrids (Orienpets)
OT hybrids combine the exquisite shape and fragrance of oriental lilies and the expanded color range of the trumpets.  The
color palette of the OT’s ranges far beyond the pinks and whites most commonly associated with the orientals adding yellows
and oranges to the palette.These hybrids have a sweet fragrance  somewhat milder than oriental fragrance. OTs are much
better suited to hot summer areas than the orientals and more resistant to winter cold.

LO Hybrids
First seen on the market in late 2006, LO lilies are crosses between the Easter lily(Lilium longiflorum) and oriental lilies. The
new hybrids feature the beautiful fragrance of the Oriental lily flower but in Longiflorum shape. Huge flowers on a strong stem
grow well in dappled shade.

Trumpet & Aurelian Hybrids
Tall stately stems are a hallmark of these lilies along with out and down facing blooms a The Trumpets have a heady fragance
and need to be staked for support their multi-bloom flower heads. The Aurelians have raised papilliae and highly reflexed petals.
Full sun makes these lilies grow to their full potential in a garden.

Martagon Hybrids
Martagon lilies feature whorls of leaves and a cascade small blooms on a graceful stem . These lilies love dappled shade and
are the first lilies to bloom in the spring. Martagon Lilies are slow to establish and slow to grow, but worth the wait as they pop
open in a rainbow of colors. Perfect for a shady garden!

Species Lilies
Lilies as they grow naturally all over the world--in the mountains, in the fields, near the woods or on the side of a cliff. These
lilies can vary from a few inches to several feet tall. Many are tough and grow well in Iowa while others are quite a challenge to
grow outside their part of the world.
Choosing the Right
Lilies for your Garden!!
Trish and George Patrick Garden