Lilien Standardsorte

Season Overview

Description

The lily (Lilium) is a genus in the lily family (Liliaceae). There are around 110 species and a large number of hybrids created by crossing different species. There are currently thought to be around 2,000 hybrids, which are divided into eight groups - for example, a distinction is made between Asian and Oriental hybrids. The pure species have their natural distribution almost exclusively in the northern temperate and subtropical zone, especially in areas with high rainfall. The Madonna lily (Lilium candidum) is an exception, as it prefers the dry climate of the eastern Mediterranean. A native species is the Turk's cap lily (Lilium martagon), which can be found in the southern Black Forest, for example, as well as in the Allgäu Alps. It thrives in herb-rich deciduous or coniferous forests on limestone and primary rock soils in semi-shady, cool locations. In the mountains it also grows above the montane forest on meadows and pastures. The large and richly flowered royal lily (Lilium regale) from China is particularly impressive with its trumpet-shaped flowers. Lilies are among the oldest cultivated plants. The Madonna lily was planted in gardens as early as the middle of the second millennium BC. The Romans introduced them to their provinces north of the Alps. In the Middle Ages, the brilliant white lily developed into an important symbol of the Virgin Mary, as many paintings from this period show. Appearance and growth Lilies are perennial, herbaceous plants with a scaled bulb as a survival organ. The fleshy scales, which cover each other like roof tiles, are, botanically speaking, modified leaves and serve as a nutrient store. As this onion, unlike other onion plants, is not surrounded by a protective outer skin, it is referred to as "naked". A special feature are the so-called traction roots, which develop at the base of the bulb and can pull the bulb deeper into the soil. In addition, most lilies develop roots in the underground stem area - where small daughter bulbs can also develop. Most species do not form basal leaves. Instead, these are usually stemless and alternate, but are often also arranged in whorls on the flower stem. Depending on the species, they grow to a height of between 30 and 240 centimetres. The giant lily (Cardiocrinum giganteum) can even grow up to three meters high. One or more flowers form at the end of the stem, which then form a cluster or umbel. There are three different flower shapes: trumpet-shaped, cupped and the flowers of the aforementioned Turk's cap lilies. In the latter, the petals are rolled far back so that their tips approach each other again on the stem. The flower is thus reminiscent of a turban. The various species flower between May and September and, with the exception of blue, almost all colors are represented. After fertilization, three-chambered brown capsule fruits containing numerous flat seeds ripen. The above-ground parts, i.e. stems and leaves, die after the seeds have ripened. The stalks, leaves and flowers for the following year develop in the surviving bulb.

Growing tips

The location and soil required by lilies varies slightly from group to group. It is therefore best to find out about the exact requirements of your lily when you buy it. The Asiatic wild species, for example the saffron lily (Lilium bulbiferum ssp. croceum) or the tiger lily (Lilium lancifolium), the Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum) and their hybrids prefer a sunny to semi-shady location with a fresh, humus-rich, nutrient-rich and well-drained soil. The Turk's cap lily and its numerous hybrids have similar requirements to the Asiatic wild species, but a semi-shady location is preferred to a sunny one - just like the Oriental wild species. The substrate can also be calcareous. The Madonna lily also likes a somewhat chalky substrate, but prefers a sunny spot with fresh, loose soil. American wild species such as the panther lily (Lilium pardalinum) and its hybrids, on the other hand, prefer lime-free soil. They can also cope with slightly damp soil. All lily species thrive best in a slightly acidic substrate. It should be noted that although most lilies require a sunny location, the soil around the plant should be shaded. This can be achieved with a low companion planting. Alternatively, a mulch layer of compost or bark humus can be used.

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Moist

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Medium

Light germinator

Germination temperature

15 - 20 °C (Degrees Celsius)

Plant distance

20 cm

Row spacing

20 cm

Seeding depth

0.5 cm