Growing and combining different varieties of lily trees in open ground

In the last decade, new varieties of very tall lilies, called tree lilies, have appeared in garden stores. Since then, debates about this plant have not subsided: some call it a myth, others recommend it as a new original hybrid variety. Let's try to figure out what lily trees are, the planting and care of which is of interest not only to florists, but also to all gardeners.

What does such a tree look like?

Although many distrustful gardeners believe that a lily is a flower, a tree with that name exists and amazes with its size and the beauty of its flowers. With proper care, it can become taller than its owners (some specimens reach a height of 2.5 m). And its flowers have a wide range and fireworks of shades, some of which resemble the size and shape of children's panama hats. One plant can have up to 20 tubular-shaped flowers, similar to a turban or goblet.

Such a huge plant exudes a delicate and persistent aroma, which, combined with its external beauty, gives it not only an exotic, but also an aristocratic appearance.

Such plants are called trees only conditionally for their high growth (up to 2.5 m), but in fact they are varieties of very large and tall flowers, bred not only naturally, but also with the help of scientific breeders, growing with active feeding by gardeners at the sites.

The varieties that are now sold in stores are tree lilies, the varieties of which come in two types:

• species lilies (or cardiocrinum), growing wild in nature;
• OT hybrids, which were obtained by biologists by crossing trumpet and oriental varieties of lilies.

These types of lilies are completely different in terms of growing conditions, soil requirements and agricultural technology. They reproduce slowly and bloom only 2-3 years after planting.

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The lily tree is still the same lily flower, which has long become a favorite of many gardeners. Meeting a lily on a private plot is not such a rare occurrence.

Every gardener would dream of boasting not just a lily, but a lily tree on his property.

What is a lily tree ?

1. The lily tree is simply a hybrid lily that was developed in Canada;

2. The only difference between an ordinary tree and a “lily tree” is growth. If all requirements for planting and care are met, the “lily tree” can reach 2.5 m in height;

3. “lily tree” is an unusually powerful variety of lily that grows in the upper part in the form of a “crown”;

4. “lily tree” is famous for its unusually large flowers with a strong aroma;

5. “lily tree” requires care like any other decorative flower, and not like a tree;

6. The lily tree is widespread in many countries. Sometimes he is even called “Goliath” in honor of the mythical hero, who was distinguished by his enormous growth.

Thus, we can say that the term “lily tree” or “lily tree” generalizes all lilies that are capable of reaching high growth.
Lily tree: HOW TO NOT BECOME A VICTIM OF DECEPTION?
Unfortunately, you can run into a fake. Markets often sell plants that do not exist in nature at all. At best, they will sell you ordinary lilies under the guise of outlandish lily trees.

Five rules for distinguishing true from false.

1. Do not buy planting material by hand, or take it from trusted people whom you often see at the market. You can trust them because they value their reputation.

2. Think before you buy. If the plant is large (a whole “tree”), then the bulb should be large. And they sell ordinary onions the size of a chicken egg.

Perhaps this is a young bulb that needs to grow. But then the seller should not say that a lily tree will grow out of it in the first year. This is an obvious deception. An adult tree lily has a bulb with a diameter of 8-10 cm.

3. Think about the price. A good variety should be expensive, but they offer you bulbs for only 80 rubles.

4. Study the issue in the literature, find information on the Internet. Tree lilies really exist. These are hybrid lilies of the OT-hybrid group. And what is on the market is most likely a fake.

5. Make it a rule: if in doubt, don’t buy.

Where to buy real OT hybrids?

OT hybrid bulbs are sold in garden centers and stores.

Large bulbs are rarely found in the store. To achieve the effect, it needs to be grown for 2-3 years, but the result is worth it. Tall lilies can be seen from afar, they are simply amazing!

Lily tree - varieties. Photos of some OT hybrids

Botanists and breeders have done a good job of breeding OT hybrids and improving varieties. Such lilies are much less susceptible to various diseases compared to their ordinary “brothers”. The most popular varieties of tree lily:

Anastasia.

Lily can reach 2 meters in height, flowers up to 30 cm in diameter. This bulbous plant has the most positive characteristics of OT hybrids. Can be used for cutting, tolerates transportation well. Often grown commercially. Extends a refined aroma. It can be an excellent solution for decorating a site.

Scheherazade.

The variety is the result of crossing trumpet and oriental lilies. With proper care, it can easily reach a height greater than human height and bear the proud name “tree lily”. Flowers grow up to 25-30 cm in diameter and are cup-shaped. This variety is loved by many gardeners because of its variety of colors. Lilies can be red, orange, pink, yellow, etc.

Pretty Woman.

Lily tree Preti Woman is also a typical OT hybrid. Huge funnel-shaped flowers during their bloom fill the entire space around them with an incredible aroma.

Donato.

This purple-red lily is also striking in its size. With proper care it can grow up to 2 meters. The neck has a yellowish color.

Purple Prince.

This lily tree can decorate even the simplest flower bed. Gorgeous burgundy-red and purple flowers have a satin surface and are very eye-catching.

Avocado.

The refined and delicate lemon color of the flowers is surprisingly combined with the powerful stem of this lily. This hybrid can also reach gigantic sizes, usually in the 3rd year of life. Of course, a lily can only reach a 2.5-meter height in conditions that are comfortable for it.

Choosing soil and location for OT hybrids

If you want to achieve maximum height for your lily trees, then you will have to become well acquainted with the plant's requirements for soil, light, location, etc. The first step is to take into account the characteristics of the soil on your site. Perhaps it is not very suitable for giant lilies. In this case, you will need to prepare the soil well and fertilize it. Each variety may have its own characteristics of growth and planting. We will consider the most common ones, generally suitable for all varieties.

So, when choosing a landing site, consider:

— The lily will not take root very well on your site if the soil is calcareous;

— the soil should preferably have a neutral and slightly acidic composition;

- choose a place with deep groundwater. Stagnant water and wetlands are not the best place for any OT lily hybrids to grow;

- the soil should be loose, fertile, with good drainage;

- a flower bed on a hill or elevation is perfect;

OT hybrids are sun-loving plants, but can grow freely in partial shade. A particularly good place would be under the crowns of garden trees, which will let in enough light and protect from the sun.

Planting OT hybrids

If you have already decided on a landing site, then you can proceed directly to the planting process. First you need to buy a tree lily, namely tree lily bulbs.

The landing technology is as follows:

— Bulbs must be planted immediately in a place of constant growth. If you have purchased bulbs and do not have the opportunity to immediately begin planting, they can be stored for some time in a cool and dark place, placed in sand, peat or moss.

— You can plant it in open ground both in spring and autumn. In the spring, this should be done in the 2nd half of April - May, and in the fall - in the 1st half of September.

— Before planting, inspect the bulb. There should be no dry or damaged scales on it. If they are present, they must be carefully removed.

Such bulbs should be planted only in a sunny, warm place, to a depth of up to 25 cm and spaced at a distance of 50 cm from each other. The soil is prepared loosely, drainage is laid at the bottom (sand is poured).

If planted closer together, the lilies will not reach their maximum size.

— After planting, the plantings need to be mulched.

Also, be sure to mulch the planting site for the winter. Only with such care will “lily trees” be able to demonstrate all the qualities inherent in them.

— As they grow, the stems are tied to a support. But they don’t wait for them to be very high. You need support right away! And not only for the purpose of protecting against breakages in windy weather. Plants that feel support develop and grow stronger. This has been tested with both vines and tall tomatoes.

— In the first year, the bulbs do not give the declared result. Sometimes the stem does not reach even a meter, and there are no more than three flowers. But you can’t judge by the first flowering.

Continue to care for the plant, and in the second or third year the lily tree will bloom in your garden. Usually the height is 170-190 cm, flowers from 6 to 18 pieces. As flowering progresses, the ovaries need to be removed so that the plant does not waste energy on seeds.

— Hybrid lilies can grow without replanting for about 5 years. After this period, the bulb “wears out”, ages, and the decorative effect of the flower decreases. The most popular method of propagating OT hybrids is the bulb method. But it is also possible to propagate these plants by seeds, scales, pups or cuttings.

Caring for OT hybrids

Caring for a lily tree is not difficult. All they really need is

Watering and fertilizing:

— Giant lilies need to be watered especially carefully during flowering and bud formation;

— watering is gradually reduced and then completely eliminated after the end of the flowering period;

— in the fall there is no need to cut lilies at the root. Leave a part of the stem 8-19 cm high. This way, you will provide conditions for further development of the bulb;

— fertilizing with special fertilizers for lilies is needed only during the preparation of the plant for flowering, i.e. during the period of bud formation. Complex fertilizers are used and microelements are added.

During the summer, 3-5 fertilizing is carried out depending on the fertility of the soil.

But immediately during the flowering period , exclude any fertilizing to prevent the flowering period from ending quickly;

- before August 15, carry out the last feeding to restore the bulb, exhausted by flowering.

Source: dachnaya-zhizn.ru

BEAUTY FOR YOUR GARDEN!!!

Your LYUBASHA BODIA

Species lilies

This plant is scientifically called cardiocrinum (“heart-shaped lily” - Greek), the name was given to it for the shape of the leaves. There are only 4 species of such plants in the world, growing on Sakhalin Island, the Japanese Islands, the Himalayas and China.

Cardiocrinum is a bulbous plant (a white cone-shaped bulb), its stems, hollow inside, have a diameter of 5 cm at the ground.

The leaves, similar in shape to hearts, have reticulate venation, are alternate, and are attached to the stem by long petioles. Flowers, most often white or pale green, tubular, usually tilted horizontally or look drooping, are located on short pedicels.

Cardiocrinum blooms only 4-5 years after planting with very large flowers, after which the bulb dies, forming small children that are suitable for subsequent reproduction.

In open ground gardening plots, only 2 varieties of lily trees are grown: giant and Chinese. The tree lily, the photo of which is presented in the article, impresses even experienced gardeners.

Cardiocrinum giganteum in its homeland (in the Himalayas) grows on the slopes of mountains and has a height of up to 3 m. It usually blooms in August, the inflorescences have up to 20 large greenish flowers, each up to 15 cm long, emitting a very pleasant smell.

Cardiocrinum chinensis grows in its homeland in the mountains near rivers and in the forests of Central and Eastern China. The height of the plant reaches 1.5 m with leaves located at the top of the stems. There are only up to 5 flowers, about 10 cm in size, pale green in color with small red spots on the top.

Plant diseases, prevention and treatment

Breeders began to breed hybrids that are less susceptible to disease than simple lilies.

Despite this, hybrids have the following diseases:

1. Botrytis – in other words, gray rot, is a fairly common disease. You can get this disease in the spring, during the rainy season, when the ground is too wet. The disease appears in the form of brown spots on the foliage. The plant may die within a few days. The disease can be cured by special preparations that should be sprayed on the tree.
2. Fungus. During transplantation or loosening, the bulb may be damaged and a fungus appears on it, which kills the plant. And the shoot itself, if the bulb is damaged, will grow and even flowers will appear. This disease is called fusarium. Before planting, the bulb should be thoroughly examined and left in a special foundationazole solution for half an hour.
3. Blue rot appears on bulbs if stored improperly. This disease manifests itself in the form of a green coating. For prevention and treatment, the bulb is left for half an hour in a foundation solution, and the soil around the planting site is watered with a special sulfur solution.
4. Viral diseases are considered the most dangerous for lilies and lily trees, such as:

• Tobacco mosaic;
• Cucumber mosaic;
• Variegation virus.

These diseases cannot be cured, the plant is destroyed so that it is not passed on to further generations, and it cannot be propagated. Viruses are transmitted by aphids, so to protect lilies, preventive treatment against aphids should be carried out.

How to plant and care

Cardiocrinum prefers very warm, fertile places located slightly in the shade (does not like direct sunlight). In order to place such tree lilies, planting and caring for which will require some experience from gardeners, on a garden plot, you need to carefully prepare the soil before planting: provide drainage (the bulb can rot due to high humidity), add leaf soil. The optimal time for planting is early autumn.

Make a large hole, 60 cm in size, adding sand and soil. When planting, the top of the bulb should be poking out of the soil. The distance between adjacent bulbs is at least 1 m.

For the winter period, a special air shelter is built from spruce branches, covering the entire plant. Such a shelter should not be removed immediately in the spring, but you should wait until the spring frosts pass (at this time, sprinkle it with snow). After opening, the plant must be protected from the sun.

It is important that the tree develops correctly. Lilies do not require specific care; they need several feedings using complex mineral (spring) and organic fertilizers (summer). To reduce the acidity of the soil, it is recommended to add wood ash (the plant does not like acidic soils) or add bone meal.

Cardiocrinum should be watered 1-2 times a week (less often in rainy weather). When watering, you can add growth stimulants directly to the water. Tall stems need supports to prevent the plant from falling and breaking from the wind or its own weight. Every winter, the lily tree should be pruned and protected from frost and cold.

For propagation, daughter buds should be promptly separated from the dead and dried mother bulb (and better before they germinate and young roots appear). If children in a bunch are left to winter in the ground, they most often die from the cold.

Cardiocrinum can also be propagated using seeds, which are usually collected in the spring before the growing season begins, and then sown in prepared soil.

Diseases, pests and methods of combating them

The following diseases and pests are considered the most dangerous for the lily tree:

• Gray rot. The reason is excess moisture and the presence of weeds near the plantings of lily hybrids. The parts damaged by the disease are removed, and these places are treated with a fungicide, for example, Fundazol.
• Fusarium. A fungus that develops on bulbs and roots under conditions of high humidity and excessive amounts of nitrogen in fertilizers. A solution of potassium permanganate is effective for treatment.
• Spider mite. It settles on the foliage of the lily and drinks the juices from the crop. Effectively control with a solution of green soap or any insecticide, for example, Aktara.

OT hybrids - what are they?

Another breeding variety of giant lilies was created by scientists in Canada, who bred tree lilies - hybrids of the OT class. In scientific circles they were given the name Oriental X - tubular. These lilies make an indelible impression with their beauty and unusualness.

The first offer for the sale of lily trees appeared in Holland in a flower catalog, which promised buyers trees up to 2.5 m high with an unimaginable number of flowers (50-60). Since then, discussions about the reality of the existence of such plants have taken place regularly in scientific circles and on the World Wide Web.

Then the question of the legitimacy of the name “trees” remained open. Already in 2009, one of the Canadian companies registered the trademark “Tree Lily”, and this name stuck with them.

Another name given to such lilies by foreign breeders - Goliath - is, of course, due to their size. In recent years, these mighty beauties, with the help of experienced gardeners, have begun to be grown in the middle latitudes of Russia. However, to get flowers on such a miracle tree, you need to wait 2-3 years.

general characteristics

The tree lily is an OT hybrid, sometimes growing up to 2.5 meters in height. The flowers of the plant are large, the leaves are also quite massive. In general, the appearance of such a lily is somewhat exotic and unusual. However, OT hybrids are unpretentious in care and will not cause any special problems for the gardener when growing.

The tree lily is also called “Goliath” because of its impressive size (see photo). These giants were bred by American breeders, however, the qualitative characteristics of the varieties are being “polished” by many other scientists around the world.

Peculiarities

• the flower stalks of the plants are very powerful and developed;
• the height of the lilies inspires respect, reaching 2-2.5 meters;
• 30-40 buds can bloom simultaneously on one flowering stem;
• in addition to their magnificent appearance, the flowers can boast a wonderful, pleasant aroma;
• the shape of the buds can be traditional goblet-shaped, sometimes drooping, hanging;
• plants begin to bloom early;
• if you take one bleached stem of a tree lily, this stem will look like a full-fledged lush bouquet;
• flowers feel great in acidic soil, unlike most other garden plants;
• the plants look great in compositions with other garden flowers, shrubs and trees. Thanks to the unusual shape and appearance of the tree lily, you can achieve such rare visual effects as a cascade, waterfall and others.

Application

In themselves, these luxurious flowers are already a real decoration of the garden plot. Their large buds are visible from afar and look very impressive against the background of plain green foliage and coniferous trees.

You can use lilies as a hedge by planting several flowers in a row. Such a fence will turn out to be of impressive height, reliably hiding a house or recreation area from prying eyes. And if you plant lilies along the fence, you can make the area more picturesque and beautiful, while at the same time providing the plants with reliable support.

Often florists choose this type of design for lily plantings as a cascade. To obtain a cascade, tree lilies and ordinary ones are used - the height of the plant should be different. The design is stepped, very picturesque and original.

As for combinations, the tree lily will look advantageous with luxurious peonies, as well as anemones, phlox, and decorative barberry. The combination is excellent with lush hydrangeas.

Hybrid varieties

Over the past few years, many varieties of hybrid plants have been developed. The tree lily, a photo of which you can see in the article, can have varying degrees of frost resistance. The height of the stem, the color of the flowers, the duration of flowering, and the care requirements can also be different.

Tree lily - varieties (photos and colors):

• Aventino (pink with a yellow star);

• Anastasia (pink-crimson flowers with a white border, very tall stem);
• Big Brother (vanilla yellow flowers);
• Donato (hot pink);

• Carboner (dark cherry or red with a yellow center);
• Corsini (pink with a yellow-green center);
• Gold Class (yellow-red with specks);
• Holland Beauty (raspberry with cream border);
• Honeymoon (honey yellow);
• Miss Patchwork (maroon with chocolate-colored strokes in the middle and a white border);
• Holland Beauty (raspberry with cream edging);
• Mister Job (brown-burgundy with a green star in the middle and a cream stripe along the edge);
• Passion Moon (cream with purple in the middle and a yellow coating);
• Preti Woman (white);
• Purple Prince (burgundy-purple);
• Robina (raspberry with a white center);
• Zelmira (orange-pink) and many others.

The highest varieties: Friso, Donato, Anastasia, Robina.

Varieties such as Purple Prince and Pretty Woman tree lily are now very popular, planting and caring for which require more attention compared to low varieties.

Popular hybrids

First of all, it is necessary to clarify that such hybrids reach their maximum growth and flowering no earlier than 3 years of age: in the first year such a lily grows by approximately 30 cm, in the second by 50-60 cm, and only in the third does its height reach at least 1.5 meters. All hybrid varieties bloom within 2-3 years.

The most popular variety now is the Pretty Woman tree lily, whose flowers (diameter 25 cm) have a soft creamy snow-white hue with a slight pink tint; after flowering, the buds become completely white.

This lily was obtained by crossing oriental and trumpet lilies. The inflorescence usually has up to 30 funnel-shaped or cup-shaped flowers with a pleasant aroma. The flowers, as a rule, are directed upwards or slightly to the side; there are several shades of color: yellowish, pink, light orange and multicolored. Flowering time is the second half of summer.

The stem of such a lily tree is strong and durable, up to 180 cm high; under very favorable conditions, plants can grow up to 2.5 m in 3 years. This variety has good winter hardiness and increased disease resistance.

Also very popular is the variety “Honeymoon” tree lily, which is characterized by increased winter hardiness (it does not freeze even during severe frosts down to -35ºC). The tree grows up to 2 meters and is capable of producing more than 18 beautiful buds, which then bloom with an unusual moon-honey color (with a darker center) with a rich aroma.

Diseases, pests and measures to control them

OT hybrids are less susceptible to floral diseases than other varieties and types of lilies, for which we must say “thank you” to the breeders. However, there is still a possibility of infection. Among the most common infections are the following lesions:

• Gray mold or botrytis usually appears in a rainy spring. The disease is quite easy to identify; brown spots appear on the leaves, as if the foliage had been doused with boiling water. To combat the disease, a remedy such as “Hom” or “Oxychom” is suitable.
• Bulb fungus and, as a consequence, fusarium, can lead to the death of the plant. Fusarium usually occurs due to mechanical damage, so you should be more careful in loosening the soil near the flowers.
• Blue rot occurs after an overdose of nitrogen fertilizers. If you see brown spots on the leaves, it's time to take action with fungicides.
• You can list such diseases of lilies as: cucumber mosaic, rust, tobacco mosaic, bacterial rot.

Insect pests simply adore hybrid lilies and, without thinking twice, happily devour all parts of the plant, starting with the bulbs.

• The bulb mite is capable of completely destroying plantings, so treat the planting material with Neoron.
• The hoverfly fly also likes to attach itself to the onion pulp.
• The lily fly is a frequent visitor and lays eggs in the soil.
• All insects are easily destroyed by such well-known drugs as: “Inta-vir”, “Fitoverm”, “Decis”, “Maxim”, “Bazudin”. The main thing is not to delay treating flowers against parasites.

Tree lilies: planting and care

Such plants have some specific features of agricultural technology when planting in the ground, during the period of growth and flowering. Some varieties like acidic soil, others alkaline.

Let us consider as an example such a now popular hybrid variety as the Pretty Woman tree lily, planting and caring for which is carried out similarly to other OT-hybrid plants.

For such a lily tree, the soil needs to be slightly acidic, with a high content of fertilizers (but not fresh organic matter). This plant does not like close proximity to groundwater, so the optimal place where a lily (tree) can be planted is in slightly raised flower beds that provide good drainage. For drainage, crushed stone and river sand are used, spread in a layer of up to 20 cm.

It is better to place lily plantings in slightly shaded places, for example, located under the crowns of fruit trees that provide diffuse shade.

The growth and flowering time of such lily trees is 4-5 years, because in the 5th year the bulb is depleted, which leads to a decrease in the growth of the peduncle, a decrease in the number of buds, possible diseases and even the death of the tree.

Bulbs are planted either in early autumn or in April-May. The soil is prepared in advance, when planting the bulb, sand is added under its bottom and around it, the planting depth is 15-20 cm from the roots to the surface. After this, the soil must be mulched.

Watering lilies should be done 1-2 times a week all summer, and especially during the flowering period. It is very important for these plants to fertilize, especially when buds are forming. The last fertilizing of the season should be carried out before mid-August with a predominance of potassium fertilizers, which will help the bulb recover faster after flowering.

And now, cold autumn has come, the lily (tree) planted in spring has grown over the summer. “How do they spend the winter?” - This question is most often asked by gardeners when preparing a plant for winter frosts. Although there are varieties with increased cold resistance, it is still necessary to insulate the plantings of lily trees.

In late autumn, the trunk of the plant is cut off, the plantings are insulated using dry mulching and covered for the winter with a layer of 5-10 cm (for example, rotted compost or pine litter). This helps the bulbs remaining in the ground not to get sick and to survive winter frosts.

In the spring, such a shelter becomes mulch, which first protects from frost and then serves to maintain soil moisture. It is very important not to loosen the planting site of the lily tree in the spring, since it produces many sprouts that can be broken.

What is a tree lily

Tree lily is not a specific, artificially bred variety of crop, but simply a generalized name for representatives of this family, capable of achieving high growth, almost like a tree, under certain conditions. The hybrid, characterized by its enormous size and called Goliath, was bred by Canadian breeders. During the flowering period (which happens once every 5 years), the flower tree is covered with huge buds, which exude a delicate aroma and have a variety of colors.

The perennial bulbous plant has hollow stems and heart-shaped leaves. Lily flowers come in different shapes - turban-shaped, goblet-shaped or long-tubular. But they all hang on very powerful stems, somewhat reminiscent of the branches of young trees. The diameter of the flowers of tree lilies is impressive - about 30 cm; they bloom in mid-summer and delight the eye for a month.

Propagation of lily trees

Garden lilies are usually propagated using seeds, offspring, cuttings and bulbs.

Lily trees (for example, the Pretty Woman tree lily) are most often propagated using bulbs, although the number and growth rate of them in hybrid varieties is small. Their reproduction process is quite labor-intensive and slow, since the bulbs are very sensitive to dampness and can deteriorate in the autumn.

In addition, children can only be obtained several years later, when the plant begins to bloom in full force. The oldest tree (4-5 years old) forms a whole nest with bulbs suitable for planting.

Lily trees can also be propagated using seeds located in boxes at the top of the stems (in late autumn). Before the onset of cold weather, they are cut off (along with part of the stem) and placed in a warm place for ripening. It is better to sow ripened seeds immediately due to the high probability of them losing their germination capacity.

How to care

Planting is completed, the tree-like bulb is gaining growth with might and main. How now to care for the plant so that it develops quickly and actively, blooms well and profusely.

Watering

Plants need regular and mandatory moisture. Particular attention should be paid to watering during the period of budding and flowering of lilies. The optimal frequency of moisturizing procedures is twice a week. However, if the weather is too hot, it is recommended to increase the frequency of watering.

After flowering is completed, it is necessary to minimize watering, and then stop altogether.

Top dressing

For the first time, additional nutrition is introduced during the formation of flower buds. Nitrogen compounds with superphosphate are suitable as the first feeding. You can also use complexes, the components of which are selected in a manner suitable for lilies. During flowering, fertilizing is not done, since fertilizers stimulate the rapid flowering of buds.

Until mid-August, you need to fertilize again so that the depleted bulb recovers faster. It is recommended to use potassium compounds this time.

Important: these plants, like all lilies, are not fed with fresh organic matter. The best choice is minerals.

Mulching

Care should include mandatory protection of the lily root system from drying out. The easiest way to do this in the first stages is by mulching the soil after watering. As the tree lily grows, it is more convenient to use green grass growing in the garden bed and other living plants as mulch, covering the soil from too rapid evaporation of moisture.

Trimming

The lily is pruned in the fall, leaving only a small stump of the plant. Make sure that the stump is 8-19 cm, no less. You should not prune too much, as this may negatively affect the flowering of the lily next year.

Support

Growing up, the tree lily becomes quite tall. To prevent the wind from breaking the plant and to prevent the flower from bending under the weight of its buds, it is recommended to tie its stems to a support. The lily will look and feel much better this way.

Wintering

It is better to cover the tree lily for the winter: you can ignore this recommendation only if the winter in this region is characterized by warm weather and is quite mild.

If the winters are snowy, you can limit yourself to sprinkling the root circle with fallen leaves and spruce branches. In this way, the bulbs will safely overwinter under the thickness of the snowdrifts. But if the winters have little snow, it is recommended to make the layer of spruce branches/leaves thicker, and throw agrofibre on top of them.

Reproduction

The optimal and easiest option for propagating tree lilies is using bulbs. Seed propagation is impossible, since this variety is hybrid. In addition to bulbs, propagation by scales can also be used: but the process of removing scales must be carried out extremely carefully so as not to damage the mother bulb.

Do pyramid lilies exist?

Pyramid or spray lilies do not exist in nature, despite the assurances of some private sellers or companies selling various flower varieties. The number of buds on such pyramids is advertised to be more than 40, which is completely unrealistic.

An explanation for this may be the phenomenon of fasciation, when several stems accidentally join together for some reason:

• unfavorable conditions or failure of plant growth, when damage to the bulb or shoots is possible;
• bacterial infection, exposure to pesticides or radiation;
• excessive use of bioregulators and growth stimulants or mineral fertilizers;
• mutations associated with changes in temperature or lighting and humidity.

In this case, the shoots may become bent or deformed, becoming flatter. There are some varieties of lilies (such as Marlene) that are prone to fasciation.

The Marlene variety is a type of Asian hybrid lily, the advantages of which are winter hardiness, early flowering, and very strong shoot formation. The height of the stem is up to 1 m. The flowers are quite large, pink at the ends and white in the middle. The flowering period lasts up to 2 months. One of the unusual differences is that they are absolutely odorless.

Lilies of the Marlene variety, when peduncle fasciation occurs, can form from 40 to 100 flowers. But this phenomenon is completely spontaneous and is not regulated by man. This is also explained by the ability of plants to produce several shoots from one bulb at once, which can grow together under the influence of fasciation, forming a single thick peduncle.

Although advertised bush and pyramidal types of lilies do not exist, it is the Marlene variety that is not passed off as. This variety of hybrid lily itself is worth special words of admiration.

Caring for a tree lily in the garden

Although lilies are quite demanding regarding certain growing conditions, it is quite possible to create them not only in greenhouses and winter gardens, but also in open ground.

Lighting and temperature

It is advisable that the upper part of the plant is in the sun, and the lower part is shaded and protected from overheating of the bulbs. Therefore, low-growing flowers can be planted around the lilies, which will prevent the soil from drying out. The preferred place for flowers will be a warm place with diffused sunlight.

During periods of active sun, it is recommended to shade lilies.

As for the air temperature, lilies can easily tolerate both coolness and heat, so care in the spring and summer will not cause problems. However, to avoid freezing of the plant in winter and late autumn, you need to insulate it with sawdust, film or dry leaves before frost sets in.

Watering and fertilizing

Lilies are moisture-loving plants, so watering should be regular, but moderate: water should not stagnate in the soil. For irrigation you need to use settled warm water. In hot weather, it is recommended to water the flower as the top layer of soil dries, and during flowering, watering should be reduced. Once flowering is complete, watering can be stopped. To maintain air humidity in the heat, you need to spray the plant with a spray bottle, and the leaves can be wiped with a damp sponge.

These flowers need to be fed twice a year: in autumn and spring. Fertilizers in granules with nitrogen (for spring top dressing) and without it (for autumn fertilizing) are perfect for this.

Fertilizers should be specifically designed for bulbous flowers. The use of organic fertilizers is excluded: otherwise fungal diseases will appear. As a fertilizer, it is better to add wood ash to the soil with the flower and treat it with a solution of Bordeaux mixture three times a year.

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Lily trees in garden design

Tree lilies, planting and caring for which are quite simple, are suitable for decorating any garden plot. The many hybrid varieties that have been bred have a wide variety of colors and are perfectly suited for growing between fruit trees in the garden or around the house.

When creating flower beds with such tall plants, you should calculate in advance the possibility of planting other flowering plants and place them between the lilies (different types of asters, delphiniums, gladioli or chamomile are suitable).

Along the edge of such a flower bed you can plant bulbous varieties of tulips, crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths. Low-growing species of marigolds, garden carnations, perennial Iberis and others are planted as a background.

Juniper, thuja, cypress or ferns are suitable as neighbors for lilies. By planting several varieties of lilies at once, you can select them according to their flowering time to ensure long-term alternate flowering of plants.

In our country, only a small number of amateur gardeners are engaged in such plants. Many are either unfamiliar with these types of flowers or do not trust sites that advertise tree lilies. Reviews from those specialists who purchased lily trees, were able to grow them and wait for them to bloom (3 years of waiting is still a considerable period of time) testify to the extraordinary beauty of such flower trees and the originality of their sizes.

Planting a plant in open ground

Considering the large size of the lily tree, you can guess that its roots sit deep in the ground. In this regard, for planting, holes should be made, the width and depth of which should be about fifty centimeters.

If you are going to plant several trees, then this is done at a distance of at least one meter from each other. If planting rules are not followed, mature trees will die from lack of moisture and light.

A drainage layer consisting of gravel, broken brick or river sand is laid at the bottom of the hole. Next, lay out a layer of a mixture of humus and soil, or humus and compost. To allow the soil to settle, the holes should be left for a week. Next, using the classical method, the plant bulbs are planted and covered with soil. To ensure that the bulbs survive the winter, the ground is covered with dry leaves. If there is little snow, some gardeners throw it on top of the foliage. In the spring, when greenery appears, you should carefully monitor the plant to protect it from frost.

There are gardeners who collect seeds after the tree blooms and use them to propagate the plant. There are capsules on the shoots; they should be cut off, taking part of the shoots with them; if the seeds are not fully ripe, then they should be stored in a dry, warm place until they are fully ripe. After ripening, the seeds need to be sown; if they are stored further, the seeds will not sprout.