The City Gardener: Luscious lilies
Like all gardeners, I have my particular favourites among the plants in my garden, and this time of year I find myself waiting like a little kid for the lilies to bloom.
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It still amazes me that such impossibly beautiful flowers are so easy to grow. Just meet a few very basic needs, and they'll return year after year. Some of them, like other flowering bulbs, will even multiply.
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True lilies (lilium spp., not to be confused with daylilies, peace lilies, or any other plants that happen to have 'lily' in their name) are available in just about any colour you can think of except purple or blue, and range in height from dwarf varieties barely a foot high to towering giants, well over six feet tall.
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Most lily varieties can be organized into three categories. Asiatics are the first to bloom in early to mid-June, with their sturdy stems, firm petals and wide choice of colours, markings and sizes. They're closely followed by trumpet lilies, with their long, trumpet-shaped flowers and tall (up to five-foot) stalks. Ultimately, by late July out come the stars of the show – when the Orientals unfurl their huge, bright blooms, often two or three (or more) buds to a stem.
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Along with these, there are also countless hybrids and oddballs; hybridizing lilies is big business, and every year stronger and more exotic-looking types appear on the market. Some of the more familiar ones include species hybrids, descended from wild plants such as turk's cap and wood lilies; tiger lilies, with their curled-back petals and tiny spots; and impressive Franken-flowers such as 'Orienpets' and lily trees that tower nearly ten feet tall.
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Plant lily bulbs in early spring or fall, no later than about four weeks before the first frost. Dig a hole two to three times the height of the bulb (or about four to eight inches deep), and throw a handful of bone meal, bulb food, or compost into the hole before snuggling in the bulb, pointy end up.
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Choose your planting spot carefully: like most flowers with big showy blooms, they need lots of full sun – at least four hours a day and preferably more. Make sure the spot you choose has rich, well-drained soil – standing water, even in spring and fall, will rot them. Generally, they're not as tasty to squirrels as tulips and crocuses, but if you're concerned, you can place chicken wire or a thick blanket of mulch over them once planted.
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Taller varieties should be staked as they grow, to prevent them toppling over – once the stems reach full size, they have a distressing tendency to pitch face-forward into the mud. And, as with all bulbs, resist the urge to cut down the stalks once flowering is over; let them yellow naturally, so they can replenish the bulb for next year's show.
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Ottawa Citizen
3 days ago
- Ottawa Citizen
The City Gardener: Luscious lilies
Article content Like all gardeners, I have my particular favourites among the plants in my garden, and this time of year I find myself waiting like a little kid for the lilies to bloom. Article content It still amazes me that such impossibly beautiful flowers are so easy to grow. Just meet a few very basic needs, and they'll return year after year. Some of them, like other flowering bulbs, will even multiply. Article content Article content Article content True lilies (lilium spp., not to be confused with daylilies, peace lilies, or any other plants that happen to have 'lily' in their name) are available in just about any colour you can think of except purple or blue, and range in height from dwarf varieties barely a foot high to towering giants, well over six feet tall. Article content Most lily varieties can be organized into three categories. Asiatics are the first to bloom in early to mid-June, with their sturdy stems, firm petals and wide choice of colours, markings and sizes. They're closely followed by trumpet lilies, with their long, trumpet-shaped flowers and tall (up to five-foot) stalks. Ultimately, by late July out come the stars of the show – when the Orientals unfurl their huge, bright blooms, often two or three (or more) buds to a stem. Article content Along with these, there are also countless hybrids and oddballs; hybridizing lilies is big business, and every year stronger and more exotic-looking types appear on the market. Some of the more familiar ones include species hybrids, descended from wild plants such as turk's cap and wood lilies; tiger lilies, with their curled-back petals and tiny spots; and impressive Franken-flowers such as 'Orienpets' and lily trees that tower nearly ten feet tall. Article content Article content Plant lily bulbs in early spring or fall, no later than about four weeks before the first frost. Dig a hole two to three times the height of the bulb (or about four to eight inches deep), and throw a handful of bone meal, bulb food, or compost into the hole before snuggling in the bulb, pointy end up. Article content Choose your planting spot carefully: like most flowers with big showy blooms, they need lots of full sun – at least four hours a day and preferably more. Make sure the spot you choose has rich, well-drained soil – standing water, even in spring and fall, will rot them. Generally, they're not as tasty to squirrels as tulips and crocuses, but if you're concerned, you can place chicken wire or a thick blanket of mulch over them once planted. Article content Taller varieties should be staked as they grow, to prevent them toppling over – once the stems reach full size, they have a distressing tendency to pitch face-forward into the mud. And, as with all bulbs, resist the urge to cut down the stalks once flowering is over; let them yellow naturally, so they can replenish the bulb for next year's show.
Toronto Sun
01-08-2025
- Toronto Sun
The City Gardener: Luscious lilies
'Casa Blanca' Oriental lily, one of the most beautiful flowers in the August garden, and surprisingly easy to grow. Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Midsummer is when the true royalty of the garden make their entrance, as the Oriental lilies raise their haughty, regal heads above the other plants This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Like all gardeners, I have my particular favourites among the plants in my garden, and this time of year, I find myself waiting like a little kid for the lilies to bloom. It still amazes me that such impossibly beautiful flowers are so easy to grow. Just meet a few very basic needs, and they'll return year after year. Some of them, like other flowering bulbs, will even multiply. True lilies (lilium spp., not to be confused with daylilies, peace lilies, or any other plants that happen to have 'lily' in their name) are available in just about any colour you can think of except purple or blue, and range in height from dwarf varieties barely a foot high to towering giants, well over six feet tall. Most lily varieties can be organized into three categories. Asiatics are the first to bloom in early to mid-June, with their sturdy stems, firm petals and wide choice of colours, markings and sizes. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. They're closely followed by trumpet lilies, with their long, trumpet-shaped flowers and tall (up to five-foot) stalks. Ultimately, by late July out come the stars of the show – when the Orientals unfurl their huge, bright blooms, often two or three (or more) buds to a stem. Along with these, there are also countless hybrids and oddballs; hybridizing lilies is big business, and every year stronger and more exotic-looking types appear on the market. Some of the more familiar ones include species hybrids, descended from wild plants such as turk's cap and wood lilies; tiger lilies, with their curled-back petals and tiny spots; and impressive Franken-flowers such as 'Orienpets' and lily trees that tower nearly ten feet tall. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Plant lily bulbs in early spring or fall, no later than about four weeks before the first frost. Dig a hole two to three times the height of the bulb (or about four to eight inches deep), and throw a handful of bone meal, bulb food, or compost into the hole before snuggling in the bulb, pointy end up. Choose your planting spot carefully: like most flowers with big showy blooms, they need lots of full sun – at least four hours a day and preferably more. Make sure the spot you choose has rich, well-drained soil – standing water, even in spring and fall, will rot them. Generally, they're not as tasty to squirrels as tulips and crocuses, but if you're concerned, you can place chicken wire or a thick blanket of mulch over them once planted. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Taller varieties should be staked as they grow, to prevent them toppling over – once the stems reach full size, they have a distressing tendency to pitch face-forward into the mud. And, as with all bulbs, resist the urge to cut down the stalks once flowering is over; let them yellow naturally, so they can replenish the bulb for next year's show. Lilies are generally free from diseases and pests, with two notable exceptions. Check your lilies every day from the time they first emerge in spring for aphids (which you can dispatch with a stiff spray of water from the hose, a blast of Safer's soap, or a detergent-water mix in a spray bottle); and especially, for the dreaded Japanese red lily beetle. Lily beetles are an invasive pest that first appeared about 20 years ago, and to any lily lover, it's a nasty little beast. You can't mistake them – they're about half an inch long and bright red. As soon as you see one on your lily foliage (check the undersides of leaves as well as the top), pick it off by hand and squish it or drop it into a bucket of soapy water. I have found Safer's soap works on them too if they're hit directly. In the spring, they sometimes lay their eggs on the undersides of leaves or in the soil below. Remove and throw away any infested leaves, and keep a sharp eye out for them next spring. Please feel free to write in with questions, to comment or to share your own city gardening adventures with Martha. Write to her at marthasgarden07@ World Sunshine Girls Canada Toronto & GTA Columnists
CTV News
31-07-2025
- CTV News
‘A hidden gem': Lougheed House gardens in full bloom thanks to volunteers
The flowers in the gardens at Calgary's Lougheed House are in full bloom. The grounds of the historic Lougheed House in downtown Calgary are filled with a variety of plants and flowers, but the colourful gardens wouldn't exist without a team of close to 30 dedicated volunteers. The gardens are open to the public, and for the last six years it's been head gardener Jane Reksten's job to map out the various spaces. 'I do all the planning, designing of the garden displays, purchasing all the plants, making sure the (volunteer) gardeners have everything they need to get their job done – so supplies and soil and all of that kind of stuff,' she said. 'Then on our work days, I guide the work of the volunteers. They do all the heavy lifting – I just steer them in the right direction.' Gardening days are on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the growing season. Reksten says some of the volunteers are so dedicated they show up twice a week. 'It is quite astonishing how often people will stop and thank the volunteers – thank them for what they're doing – say 'You're doing a fabulous job,' we love the gardens,'' she said. 'We know that the work is appreciated and really valued, especially for the folks that live within the area and treat this as their backyard.' Volunteer Jackie Marston has been part of the team for six years and says she enjoys putting bouquets together with flowers from the garden for visitors to enjoy inside the Lougheed House. 'It's getting out in the fresh air, it's lovely,' she said. 'Even in the springtime, in the summer, in the autumn – you get all the different colors and it's such a beautiful garden and I live very close, so that helps too.' Jeff Walker started volunteering in 2018 after he retired. He says he likes to build things and does a lot of heavy lifting in the garden. 'Pruning, deadheading, weeding,' he said. 'I'm a bit of a handy guy so we put up trellises and the signs and put some of the furniture together, just odd jobs.' Walker says he's proud of not only the work the volunteers do, but also how beautiful the gardens look. 'It's nice to see and people come by and thank you for having the gardens in nice shape,' he said. 'It's a pride of mine. Not pride of ownership, but a pride in [us] doing something for the neighborhood.' Nearby resident Mariana Araujo de Castro says she enjoys coming to the park with her dog Sky every chance she gets. 'It's a hidden gem,' she said. 'I just love to come here, and the flowers are so beautiful. I love to come here with my dog and let her sit here on the grass while I admire the flowers. Sometimes I take pictures. I think the garden is so well taken care of.' Reksten says the gardens are not original to the property, because at one time there were buildings on the space. However, staff have done their best to design the layout of the gardens close to what the Lougheed family would have had in the late 1800s. 'The Lougheed's in the Victorian Era were into what we call carpet bedding, so low plants that created shapes and designs,' she said. 'Well, those are very difficult to design, very difficult to look after, and not reflective of what anyone is going to be doing in their gardens now.' The plants in the garden are not original, but some of the native species are used throughout the space. 'They absolutely would have had tons of roses,' Reksten said. 'We have lots of roses, peonies and delphiniums, because the garden has been rebuilt from what it was originally.' 'We can't say for sure that any of the plants are still in their same place, but the hollyhocks – those are biennials – they self seed and pop up in all kinds of different corners of the gardens, and we can be pretty confident that those have been on site ever since the Lougheed's were here in the 1890s and early 1900s.' The Lougheed House is hosting an event on August 24th called The House Meets Garden tour. For more information, you can visit the Lougheed House website.
