Lots of lilies.
We follow the garden philosophy of if one is good, more is better and lots is best.
It pays to start with just a few, see how they perform in your particular conditions, soil and climate, and then add more of the ones that are stellar. The stellarest here are the Lilium hybrids made up of the Asiatic/Longiflorum varieties. The colors of Lilium ‘Royal Sunset’ are a jolt of happiness in the Fairegarden, in the lawn/meadow in the first image and along the Azalea Walk. Since certain cultivars can be difficult to locate, the tightwad gardener in me fiddled around with the little bulblets that appear around the mother bulb in late winter to see if free lilies could be obtained. These have been spread around over the last couple of years and are now blooming size, offering a grand show. The post with detailed instructions about this trick can be seen by clicking here.
Blooming at the same time as the Asiatic class is the pale pinky peachy Lilium ‘Tiger Babies’. One bulb produces a huge bouquet of blooms that open over a long period.
The little bulblets have not been noticed on this type, but I have not given it my best searching effort, either.
While Tiger Babies is pretty and faithful at providing bounteous blooms, it is the LA Hybrid Lilium ‘Royal Fantasy’ that started the lily ball rolling here.
Ten bulbs were planted, one per hole about eighteen inches apart along the Daylily Hill path edge several years ago. They have increased to at least ten times that number, never failing to bloom, usually the first week in June.
These LA hybrid lilies, sometimes sold as scented Asiatics help bridge the blooming gap from spring into the daylily season of early summer. There is some overlap as the earliest daylilies have already begun to open. A mass of this type of lily provides a wafting perfume, most noticeable when stepping outside from the addition, which is just a few tiptoes away from the daylily hill extravaganza.
A bag of mixed colors LA Hybrid lilies was ordered last fall and planted in the blueberry box, twenty five bulbs in all, on sale late in the season. A bag was given to each gardening offspring, as well. Ribbons of the appropriate color are being tied to the stems as they open to help with placement in the fall in the best locations. Also, several more varieties were ordered last winter, planted this spring, one of each, to experiment with color, height and bloom time. For there can never be enough lilies in a garden.
Frances
Fairegarden 
Fabulous lilies…I will have to check out the bulblets. I should add more but have always been happy to see a few here or there pop up. Sometimes they just don’t like the weather here. I will check into some late season buys as well…you have inspired me to add more lilies!
Great garden philosophy you have! Your lilies are wonderful.
Lilies, other than daylilies, have never been high on my list, Frances. I think it is the stalky form and foliage rather than the blossom itself. But after seeing your smashing photos I may have to re-think my opinion of them. And how to plant them. That ‘Royal Sunset’ seems to be calling me. 🙂
I agree, Frances, there is never enough lilies. They look wonderful in your garden. My lilies look they are going to be full this year. I wonder if the climate has affected their numbers. It really is many more than last year, more than their usual multiplying. I did thin them out two years ago and sent many to a plant sale, but this year they exploded. No flowers yet up here, but soon I think.
Magnifique! Breathetaking! Lovely pictures! 8)
Love those lilies. I only have the white & they aren’t blooming yet. They do multiply & I have them all over. But they stay within their area. I must transplant some to other parts of my gardens.
Those are gorgeous! In the case of lilies “More is More”.
Ohhh ooooooh ahhhhh Lovely~~~~~
Some of my lilies have come and gone. I have some of those speckled lillies blooming now. I found one of those martagon lillies at the Biltmore shop. I brought one home. I can’t wait until mine looks tall and pretty like yours. I hope it isn’t too late to plant them. The ground here is so dry it will think it is still in the package. Those white lillies are gorgeous. My head must have been so stopped up I could smell them. I hope you have recovered from the Fling.
how beautiful! that lily path is stunning – I can just imagine the fragrance wafting through the air as you walked along it. I cant grow lilies here, but sure enjoyed sharing yours for awhile 🙂
I have become more interested in lilies lately. I ordered “Lollipop” asiatic lily years ago but its blooms never looked like the catalog photos. I suspected Michigan Bulb sent me the wrong lily – it looks a lot like your Royal Sunset. A few searches for other photos of Royal Sunset online and – yep – that’s what I think I have. Thanks to you I think I now know its real name. (And it started blooming this weekend.)
I have never had much luck with lilies. There must be some that would thrive for me, but I haven’t found them yet. If I ever do, I’ll plant masses like you have. I agree there can’t be too many lilies. And none is certanly too few! I enjoyed looking at your gorgeous ones, though.
Even though I’m a day late in commenting. I just have to jump in and exclaim over what a beautiful effect the sensuous line of curving white lilies give as it leads to the ethereal clumps of beautifully sun kissed Mexican feather grass. My heart would be filled with joy as I walked that path!
Love the Asiatic lilies. They are my favorite. Mine are all blooming so short this year because of dry weather. I will enjoy yours. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Frances,
I guess we are a little slow here in Canada but I can see that it will be a good showing this year. My favourites are the Casa Blancas which I have in my community garden plot. Three fat stalks produce usually about 16 flowers. The Regales (planted for Beverly Nichols books) are up and in bud but will be better next year I think. So glad that you featured your lilies. They are truly splendid. Diane.
Love the way the pale yellow light the path with grasses at the end in the background. Great look!
Lovely Lilies Frances. Mine about ready to bloom at least three weeks early, keep wondering what will come next. I do have some late bloomig daylilies, grasses and some asters.
Eileen
I agree–there can never be enough lilies. A magnificent show of color, Frances!
Those LA hybrids are outstanding! Probably the best I have seen. I have a couple but they are so hard to find. Where do you get yours, if you don’t mind revealing your secrets? 🙂