Refined lily flowers - a living decoration of the garden
Since ancient times, people belonged to lilies with awe. It is believed that this flower already grew in the Garden of Eden and the first people enjoyed its scent. Many centuries later, the lily was associated with the divine personalities of Greek and Roman mythology. In nominal Christianity, the flower has become a symbol of purity and purity. And in the Holy Scriptures she is called the most beautiful of all wildflowers.
General description of a sophisticated beauty
Lilies grow almost throughout Europe. They are familiar to the inhabitants of the northern part of the American continent and Asia. She decorates gardens and summer cottages in Russia. Its delicate aroma is liked not only by women, but also by men. Therefore, many poems and songs have been composed about her.
Lily belongs to the Liliaceae family. Tulips, onions and hazel grouses are considered her close relatives. Like them, flowers are perennials that grow from bulbs. In nature, lilies are of different types. Biologists have about 80 variants. Many of them became the basis for the emergence of new varieties and hybrids.
Lily bulbs are loose juicy scales. They are fixed on the lower part of the plant, in the place of root growth. Therefore, they are considered loose. They vary in size. For example, tiny ones - reach only 1 cm in diameter, and large ones can be about 30 cm.Most often, the bulbs are ovoid or spherical in shape.
The roots of a plant are:
- basal;
- retractors;
- supra-lucid.
The basal and retractor roots grow in the area of the bulbous bottom. Supra-luminal roots are formed on the stems during one season. After the shoots dry up, the roots also die.
When transplanting lilies, it is advisable not to damage the main roots located at the base of the bulb.
The garden lily has a straight stem that grows to a maximum height of 250 cm. Some species reach only 15 cm, but this does not deprive them of their charm. Lily leaves adorn the shoots along the entire length. Depending on the type, they can sit on it in the form of:
- spirals;
- whorls;
- basal rosette.
There are lilies in which the leaves are pressed tightly against the vertical stem. There are much more of them at the base than on the upper part of the shoot. Other flower varieties are characterized by the appearance of air bulbs in the axils of the leaf plate. They are usually attached to the stem of the plant.
Direct shoots are decorated with original inflorescences in the form of:
- cylinder;
- cone;
- umbrella.
Each brush grows on average up to 16 buds. The royal varieties boast 30 flowers at a time. All of them are dismissed in turn. First the lower, then the upper buds. Each of them does not fade for 9 days, so, in general, the lily blooms for about two weeks.
The lily flower includes 6 petals (some varieties have more). They surround the pistil and 6 stamens with large anthers located inside the bud. The shape of the flowers is different:
- in the form of a bowl;
- tubular;
- like a large bell;
- flat version of the bud;
- funnel-shaped;
- star-shaped;
- turbid.
Depending on this, the sizes of lily buds also vary. For example, turban-shaped versions can be about 10 cm in diameter. They are very similar to Chinese models of flashlights. Funnel-shaped flower species have a diameter of 4 cm, and reach 15 cm in length. Flat buds grow up to 25 cm. A truly magnificent sight!
The color of lily flowers is simply amazing with its variety. They are orange and apricot, pale pink and bright red, snow white and dark purple. Incredibly beautiful - two-tone options with a rainbow overflow. There are flowers with tiny specks, graceful strokes, and even with an original border on the tips of the petals. Only blue lilies are not found in nature. When the buds have faded, fruits are formed on the plant. Long neat pods filled with flat seeds ripen in November. This is how the flowering season of charming garden beauties ends.
To enjoy lilies all the time, it is important to breed them correctly. What is the secret to planting these cute flowers? Just a few sequential operations.
Basic rules for planting lilies
In order for refined and delicate lilies to appear in a country dacha, it is important to plant them correctly. Especially exotic species need it. There are several rules for planting lilies and caring for them:
- selection of a suitable site;
- soil preparation;
- planting depth of bulbs;
- arrangement of lilies in the front garden.
Before choosing a place to plant flowers, you should think about how they will look in tandem with other plants. If you need to breed tall varieties, then they can be planted in small groups. Another option is to place flowers on the back of the flower bed to create a unique backdrop for miniature plants. Low-growing varieties are wonderfully combined with rose bushes or peonies.
The proximity of lilies with roses allows you to create reliable shelters from the winter cold. Under the joint veil, the flowers are unlikely to suffer from severe frosts.
Most lily species like open, sunny areas of the garden or partial shade. The main thing is not to plant them under spreading trees, where there is little light and dry soil. In view of this, when purchasing plant bulbs, you should familiarize yourself with the preferences of this type of flower.
So that the lilies in the garden can show off for a long time in the flowerbed, it is necessary to prepare the soil before planting. To do this, a little ready-made humus, clean sand and natural peat are introduced into it. Such fertilized soil helps to strengthen the bulb and, as a result, to the active development of the flower. In addition, depending on the type of lily, a suitable soil is chosen. Some prefer an acidic environment, others are alkaline. For most colors, neutral soil is suitable.
If a place is chosen and the land is prepared, you should figure out how to plant lilies correctly. First of all, it is important to take into account the type of flower and the size of its bulb. We also take into account the ability of the lily to release roots on the shoots.
Almost always, the planting material is lowered into the ground to a depth that is 3 times greater than its diameter.
Depending on the nature of the soil, the planting depth of the lilies is determined. The bulbs are planted in sandy soil much deeper than in heavy soil. Due to this, during the hot summer, the plant receives a sufficient amount of moisture. During the colder winter months, this depth allows the bulb to reach the right temperature. And in early spring, the plant is not afraid of unexpected frosts. In addition, a large number of young bulbs and stem roots are formed at depth.
To ensure comfortable care for lilies in the garden, choose a suitable planting scheme for a flower garden. There are several options:
- Single line tape option. For this, the bulbs with roots are planted at a distance of about 15 cm from each other.The width between the rows is up to 50 cm.
- Two-line method. It is used for lilies of medium height. The gap between plants is within 15 or 25 cm. The gap between the lines is also 25 cm. The gap between the ribbons is at least 70 cm.
- Three-line landing method. It is most commonly used for dwarf lilies. Individual bulbs are laid out in pits at intervals of about 15 cm. The main rows and additional lines are placed in the same way as in the two-line version.
The process of planting cute flowers is done this way. First, they dig holes in the marked places. Their depth should be three times deeper than the diameter of the original planting material. At the bottom of the funnel, a protective base made of clean sand and ash is poured. Spread the onions on top. To make them rise faster, the roots are carefully straightened, after which they are lightly pressed against the sand. Then, the hole is covered with earth, watered with cold water and mulched with peat.
Lilies can be planted in spring, autumn and even summer. The spring option will help protect the plant bulbs from freezing. At this time, the root system is developing especially actively, which contributes to successful survival. Lilies planted in the fall have time to take root reliably before winter. Thanks to this, the plant will be able to withstand spring frosts. And in winter it will be protected by additional shelter made by a caring owner.
Useful tips for caring for lilies
To ensure your garden lily is properly cared for, simple guidelines should be followed. First of all, it is important to feed the plants throughout the season. For this is used ash and special fertilizers. For each square meter of soil, 50 grams of this mixture is scattered. The process is repeated 3 times:
- at the beginning of spring to strengthen the roots;
- during the formation of buds;
- after the lilies have faded.
For spring fertilization, you can apply a solution of ammonium nitrate at the rate of 40 grams per 10 liters of water. Also, pus diluted in liquid is considered a good feeding. Proportion: 1 part cow pus in 10 liters of water.
It is important for lilies to ensure proper watering. As a rule, the water should be poured at the root so that it does not fall on the leaves. Otherwise, the droplets will attract the sun's rays, which can cause burns. Despite the fact that lilies do not like excessive phlegm, during the dry season they need regular watering.
Practice shows that bulbous plants do not like the soil overheating on summer days. This leads to impaired growth of the plant and its lush flowering. Help prevent the problem mulching soil with natural materials. It is especially important to use straw, grass cuttings and even sawdust.
Often, lily beetles and flies appear on the leaves or buds of a lily. To get rid of them will help special chemicals designed for such pests. Some flower lovers collect insect larvae by hand, which is also effective.
Planting and leaving lily flowers involves constant monitoring of the plant. If tall species are expected, then supports are prepared for them. When the stems grow, they are tied to them so that they do not break or die. Experienced summer residents try to think in advance where it is best to put supports.
To keep lilies always looking attractive, wilted buds should be removed in time. The peduncles are cut off after the plant has faded. At the end of the season, it is advisable to mow the shoots so that in winter they do not become a conductor of cold air to the bulb. In addition, additional shelter from foliage, sawdust or coniferous spruce branches will not prevent them. As you can see, when you know everything about lilies: planting, care and external description, it is easier to choose the appropriate option. Are there many varieties of a delicate flower known in our territory? More than actually planting in one area.
Welcome to the kingdom of refined lilies
Almost every flower lover can imagine a meadow on which hundreds of lilies grow. They are all different in shape, color, height and flavor. Is it easy to choose the most beautiful one? Hardly. Perhaps the American botanist Jan de Graaf faced such a situation. To resolve the situation, he organized the lily varieties into groups. Each of them was based on the origin of the plant, since most of them require the same conditions for growing.
All lily flowers were divided into the following groups:
- asian;
- marchagon;
- candidum;
- American;
- long-flowered;
- tubular and Orleans;
- eastern;
- interspecific;
- decorative.
Having considered some of them, you can visit the enchanting kingdom of soda flowers.
Asian group of hybrids
This group includes lilies that do not require special attention to themselves. They are found in different places on the planet, even in Siberia and Alaska. Flowers tolerate severe winters well. To do this, the shoots are cut at ground level so that the snow completely covers them. Lilies of the Asian group have small white bulbs that thrive in slightly acidic soil. All of them are quite hardy and unpretentious to growing conditions. They reproduce with the help of bulbous babies. Bloom in mid-summer.
The Asian group includes hybrids that grow up to 1.5 m in height, as well as dwarf specimens up to 40 cm in height. Some of them produce tiny bulbs in the axils of the leaf plate. For this they are called bulbous flowers.
By coloring, they are:
- snow-white;
- cream;
- yellow and orange;
- dark and bright red;
- combinations of several shades.
The most famous varieties of lilies of the Asian group cause considerable admiration.
Adelina variety
The charming flowers of the Asian group belong to the early garden plants. They grow to medium size. Most often, the buds are colored yellow. Their shape resembles an oriental bowl. They are almost always distinguished by an abundant number of flowers per season.
Flora Pleno
Terry beauties grow up to a meter in height. In each inflorescence, there are up to 30 pieces of buds, the diameter of which reaches 20 cm. Blossom, depending on the climate, from May to August. They tolerate severe winters well.
Curly martagons
The charming hybrids of this group are distinguished by their special endurance. Flowers are frost-resistant, can grow for a long time in one area, and are resistant to various diseases. They are practiced to grow even in Siberia. In mid-latitudes, it is better to plant them in a shady area in order to protect them from the scorching sun rays.
Arabian Knight variety
The magnificent tall lilies of the Marchagon group are considered centenarians. They can easily endure winter frosts and bloom profusely in the warm season. Each stem grows a huge inflorescence of 50 buds. They are burgundy-yellow with small specks and orange stamens. The shape of the flowers resembles an oriental turban.
Guinea Gold
Lilies of this variety have yellowish buds, sometimes with a pink tint, color. The base of the flower is orange or yellow, the edges are slightly lighter. All petals on the inner side are covered with many dark spots. Up to 10 buds grow on the stem. Bloom gradually.
White Candidum
The ancestor of this group was the snow-white lily. Although not so many varieties are included in it, they all have a persistent aroma. The buds often resemble a wide funnel or tubules. Color - yellow, terracotta or snow-white.
Apollo variety
The white lily of the candidum group grows up to a meter in height. The peculiarity of the variety is that it does not have stem leaves, they are collected at the base into a socket. The lower leaf plates are much longer than the upper ones, which makes the plant stand out against the background of other flowers in the front garden. Delicate lily buds, about 7 cm in diameter, are collected in original clusters on the top of the shoot.The only drawback is that the flowers are susceptible to diseases, and therefore require special care.
Terracotta species of lilies
Most often, the flowers of such specimens have a wide open shape. They look up and smell good. They amaze with their rich color. They cause pleasant sensations during the flowering period.
American group of hybrids
Plants of this group are distinguished by their amazing beauty and charm. Two-tone variants of American hybrids are common. If the buds are light, red dots can be seen on the petals. Such lilies love a lot of light, therefore, growing in open places, they need regular watering. For the winter period, they should be covered so that the bulbs do not suffer from the cold.
Cherrywood is a vibrant American hybrid
Many summer residents plant red lilies of this group on their plots. The rich color and pleasant aroma of the buds, which delight the eye in the middle of summer, amaze with their grace. They prefer non-acidic soils and require regular watering. They tolerate Russian winters well. When planting, drainage must be added to the holes so that the plants quickly adapt and do not get sick.
Cherrywood lilies do not like transplants, so it is better to immediately choose a suitable place for such an elegant beauty.
Columnar varieties of lilies
The unusually beautiful lilies of this variety are considered the most demanded in Russia. They perfectly tolerate severe winters and temperature changes, and are resistant to various fungi and viruses. They bloom for 3 months, and in southern latitudes until mid-autumn.
Correct planting and care of the columnar lily gives good results for lovers of garden flowers. Typically, these plants are planted in April in prepared soil. If it contains a lot of clay or sand, it is advisable to add a little peat or home humus.
In a suitable area, dig holes at a distance of about 12 cm. The bottom is covered with a drainage mixture. Spread the bulbs and cover with earth. At the end of planting, water the area with plenty of water.
Plant care includes:
- moderate watering every two days;
- pruning stems that have bloomed in mid-autumn;
- additional shelter for the winter;
- top dressing 3 times a year (in early spring, during the appearance of buds, after flowering);
- if necessary, make supports;
- transplant no more than once every 3 years.
By following these simple rules for caring for flowers, you can constantly enjoy their presence in your summer cottage.
Unfortunately, it happens that pests attack lilies that devour buds, leaves or bulbs. These include lily flies, beetles, aphids, bears, larvae May beetles... To effectively combat them, it is best to use chemicals. Taking care of the lilies in this way brings a lot of joy and satisfaction.
How did the lily get sick?