Lily Bulbs: Tips for Selecting and Growing in the Moscow Region

Lily bulbs - where to get them from

Lily bulbs available in stores are primarily sourced from Holland. This country is renowned for its wide range of bulbous plants, including several hundred lily varieties. Dutch growers carefully select and cultivate various species, allowing gardeners to choose from a wide variety suitable for their climate and aesthetic preferences. It is recommended to purchase and plant Dutch-origin bulbs in the spring.

There are also lilies of Russian (Soviet) selection and collectible imported varieties. These lilies are not commercially produced, but they can be found in the gardens of hobbyists and collectors. They are best purchased in the fall, after the end of the growing season.

How to choose

When choosing bulbs, it's important to pay attention to their appearance. High-quality bulbs should be firm, free of visible damage and rot. They should have a healthy color, usually light brown or yellowish. Avoid bulbs with soft spots or mold, as this may indicate disease. Avoid buying bulbs that have been forced, as they are cheap and depleted. They can be identified by a shredded bulb with a disproportionately large hole from the stem.

Sustainability in the Moscow Region

Not all lilies can grow successfully in the Moscow region. Some varieties don't survive cold winters, while others lack warm summers for full development. They bloom too late and don't have time to restore their bulbs before the cold weather sets in. These bulbs gradually become depleted and die. Some develop viruses. Therefore, it's important to choose varieties that are suitable for the region, meaning they have sufficient winter hardiness, disease resistance, and bloom early.

Sustainable groups for the Moscow region

Asiatic lilies are known for their ease of care and variety of colors. These low-growing plants have unscented flowers measuring 10-15 centimeters. They tolerate Moscow region winters and recurrent frosts well, blooming in July.

LA hybrids: hybrids of Asiatic and longiflorum lilies. These plants produce large (up to 20 cm) flowers with virtually no fragrance. Tall, impressive-looking, healthy, and easily grown in gardens near Moscow, they bloom in mid- to late July.

OT hybrids: a cross between oriental and trumpet lilies, they are tall, with large (up to 30 cm) fragrant flowers, good winter hardiness, and disease resistance. They bloom from late July to mid-August.

OA and AOA hybrids: hybrids of oriental and Asiatic lilies. Hardy plants with bright, cheerful colors.

Martagons: tall, with numerous small, turban-shaped flowers, the inflorescence is pyramidal. They are winter-hardy, disease-resistant, and do not like transplanting. They bloom in late June.

Moderately resistant groups

Oriental lilies are distinguished by their large and fragrant flowers, but they require more warm days and can be less frost-tolerant. Prolonged dampness and stagnant water are particularly damaging. It is recommended to cover these lilies with plastic during the onset of prolonged autumn rains, removing the plastic in the spring after the snow melts. Oriental hybrids bloom in August. Newer oriental hybrids are more resilient and can thrive in this region if provided with proper care and protection from cold.

LO hybrids: combine the qualities of oriental and longiflorum lilies and are highly decorative. On average, they are more resilient than their parents, but winter hardiness and vigor can vary greatly among varieties.

Tubular: similar in appearance to longiflorums, but more resistant to temperate climates. They are grown by gardeners in the Moscow region, but may fall out during unfavorable seasons.

Unstable groups

Lilies such as longiflorum, candidum, Nepalese, and auratum are not hardy in the Moscow region. These varieties may not survive winter cold and require warmer growing conditions.

Choosing the right varieties adapted to the Moscow region's climate will help you create a beautiful, blooming garden that will delight the eye all summer long.

Don't fall for "marketing" Beware of some vendors offering tree lilies, blue lilies, light blue lilies, ball lilies, bush lilies, and climbing lilies if you don't want to be disappointed. Such plants don't exist in nature; they only exist at Wildberries.

The Marlene lily deserves special mention. It's often seen for sale with a photo of a huge number of flowers on a single thick stem. It does indeed happen that several fused stems grow from a bulb. This is an extremely rare phenomenon called fasciation. It occurs not only with Marlene but also with other varieties. Marlene is only slightly more prone to this phenomenon. Even if you buy 10 Marlene lilies, the chances of experiencing fasciation are about the same as winning the lottery: it doesn't happen every year and not with all bulbs. You'll most likely just end up with a pink lily.

How to store purchased bulbs before planting

Bulbs purchased in winter or spring should be stored in a cool, dark place, preferably in the refrigerator, until planting. The optimal storage temperature is around 2-4°C (37-4°F). They should be kept slightly moist but still have access to air to prevent rotting. For example, you can pack them in a perforated plastic bag filled with moist peat moss. Check regularly to ensure the peat moss doesn't dry out, or that signs of overwatering or mold appear. Ensure the correct storage temperature is maintained: bulbs, especially sprouted ones, should not be frozen. If temperatures rise above normal, the lilies will grow vigorously, and you'll need to pot them up to avoid depleting the bulbs.

If you purchased lily bulbs from the garden in the fall, store them at room temperature until planting.

Landing

Lilies should be planted in the spring (imported from the refrigerator) or in the fall (local from the garden). Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil that doesn't get waterlogged, including in the spring and fall. The planting hole should be about 15-20 cm deep (or the bulb's size x 3). Space the bulbs 20-30 cm apart. Place the bulb in the hole, root-side down, and fill with soil, compacting it lightly.

Care

WateringLilies require regular watering, especially during the flowering period. It's important to keep the soil moist, but not too wet. Water in the morning or evening to prevent moisture evaporation. On hot days, more frequent watering may be necessary. It's best to water at the roots, as wet lily leaves are easily burned by the sun.

Top dressingLilies require nutrients for proper growth and flowering. Fertilizers for flowering plants containing phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen are recommended. In early spring, when active growth begins, use fertilizers high in nitrogen. During flowering, apply potassium fertilizers. After flowering, to prepare for winter, apply fertilizers low in nitrogen and high in calcium and phosphorus.

Organic fertilizers can be used, but only those that are not actively decomposing. For example, fresh compost should not be used, but well-rotted compost that has been rotted for several years can.

Treatment against diseases and pestsLilies can be attacked by various pests, such as lily beetles and aphids. Insecticides can be used to control them. It's also important to monitor the condition of the plants and remove any affected leaves and flowers. To prevent fungal diseases, it's recommended to treat the plants with fungicides, especially in high humidity conditions during prolonged rainfall.

Regular care of lilies will help ensure their health and beautiful flowering throughout the season.

Wintering

There are many varieties of lilies that overwinter well in the Moscow region without any special care. However, for those who prefer exotic plants, we recommend some additional options to help the bulbs survive the winter.

Preparing for winterIn the fall, the stems should be trimmed. This will help prevent rot and protect the bulbs from disease.

MulchingAfter pruning, it's recommended to mulch the plantings. Peat or dried leaves can be used for this. Mulch will help retain heat and protect the roots from freezing.

ShelterIn harsh winters, especially when there's no snow, you can additionally cover the lilies with agrofibre or special covering materials. This will create an extra layer of protection from the cold.

WateringIt's important to monitor soil moisture levels before frost sets in. Lilies shouldn't dry out, but overwatering can also lead to rot.

Digging. In some cases, especially for frost-sensitive varieties, it is recommended to dig up the bulbs and store them in the refrigerator until spring.

Following these recommendations will help lilies successfully overwinter and delight you with their blooms next season.