Planting Fragrant Lilies: A Step-By-Step Guide To Seeding

Lilies are a fragrant and elegant addition to any garden. They can be grown from bulbs or seeds, and are perennials that require minimal care if planted correctly. This introduction will explore how to plant fragrant lily seeds, including the best time of year to sow them, the type of pot to use, and how long to keep them in their seed pots.

Lilies are grown from bulbs

Oriental Hybrid Lilies are known as the most flamboyant personalities within the world of lilies. They are characterised by their immense flowers, intense fragrance and rich colours. Species Lilies are wild lilies, native to North America, Europe, and especially Asia. They are delicate and full of charm, and they usually emit a subtle fragrance. Blooming in midsummer, Trumpet Lilies emit a heavy, sweet fragrance, and their huge waxy trumpet flowers, up to 6-10 inches long, may be pendant, widely flaring in a shallow bowl shape or be upward-facing.

Not all lilies are fragrant. For instance, most of the Asiatic Hybrid Lilies, among the earliest to bloom in early-to-mid-summer and the easiest to grow, are unscented. Other lilies emit a subtle scent and are agreeably fragrant, while others exude such an overpowering perfume that it is sometimes felt as “overwhelming”.

Lilies are perennials

There are over 8,000 lily cultivars around the world, so there are plenty of options for your garden. When planning for garden lilies, you can choose from a wide range of colours, sizes and bloom times.

True lilies belong to the genus *Lilium* and grow from plump, scaly bulbs. Several popular lily species exist, including Orientals, Asiatics, Orienpets, and Species types. However, it's important to note that not all lilies are fragrant. For example, most Asiatic Hybrid Lilies, which are among the earliest to bloom in early-to-mid-summer and the easiest to grow, are unscented. On the other hand, Oriental Hybrid Lilies are known for their immense flowers, intense fragrance and rich colours.

Lilies require minimal care

There are several popular lily species, including Orientals, Asiatics, Orienpets, and Species types. Asiatic Hybrid Lilies, for example, are among the earliest to bloom in early-to-mid-summer and are the easiest to grow, but they are unscented. Species Lilies are wild lilies, native to North America, Europe, and Asia. They are delicate and full of charm, usually emitting a subtle fragrance. Oriental Hybrid Lilies, on the other hand, are known for their immense flowers, intense fragrance, and rich colours.

Trumpet Lilies, which bloom in midsummer, emit a heavy, sweet fragrance and have huge waxy trumpet flowers. Their flowers may be pendant, widely flaring in a shallow bowl shape, or upward-facing.

Lilies are usually fragrant

Oriental Hybrid Lilies are known as the most flamboyant personalities within the world of lilies and are characterised by their immense flowers, intense fragrance and rich colours. Species Lilies are wild lilies, native to North America, Europe, and especially Asia. They are delicate and full of charm, and they usually emit a subtle fragrance. Blooming in midsummer, Trumpet Lilies emit a heavy, sweet fragrance, and their huge waxy trumpet flowers, up to 6-10 inches long, may be pendant, widely flaring in a shallow bowl shape or be upward facing.

Lilies can be grown in containers

Oriental hardy garden lilies grow well as potted plants, but nearly any garden lily can be grown in a container. Suitable species include Lilium auratum, L. formosanum, L. longiflorum and L. speciosum. Cultivars include the short-growing (60cm (2ft) tall) Asiatic hybrids (e.g. ‘Apollo’ and ‘Côte d’Azur’) and the ‘Pixie’ series (only 50cm (20in) high).

Lilies can be planted in containers in spring, summer or fall. The bulbs should be planted in a soilless potting mixture with perlite. Tall lilies are vulnerable to strong winds, so they should be planted in a broad-based tub or barrel, which is less likely to blow over.

Frequently asked questions