Description and characteristics of bush lily varieties, planting and care in open ground

Bush lily is more of a folk name than a botanical one. Such flowers do not exist in nature, and lush lily bushes are obtained through a certain method of cultivation. However, not all varieties and varieties are suitable for creating lily bushes. Spectacular plants become the central accent of the entire garden composition and attract admiring glances throughout the entire flowering period. There is nothing complicated in planting and growing bush lilies, so even a beginner in floriculture can handle the process.

General description of bush lilies

All varieties of lilies belong to the same Liliaceae family; this perennial plant has been considered a symbol of beauty since ancient times. The name of the flower is translated as whiteness. Indeed, the first specimens of the culture were snow-white, and only later did they begin to produce flowers with different petal colors. The bulbous plant has green glossy leaves and flowers shaped like bells. The most fragrant are the long-flowered and oriental hybrids.

Popular varieties

To get a lush lily bush, choose one of these varieties:

• Curly hybrids. This category includes about 200 varieties, the main ones are grown in Central Asia, but suitable specimens can also be selected for the climatic conditions of Russia. Gardeners are recommended to pay attention to 2 varieties: Claude Shride and Slates Moning. The first one stretches up to 2 meters in height and blooms with bells and dark red petals. The second does not exceed 90 cm in height and has a yellowish tint to the petals. For all curly hybrids, the preferred planting location is shaded areas. It is necessary to immediately determine the location correctly, since this species does not like transplants.
• Asian hybrids. These hybrids were obtained by crossing 9 species of lilies and include about 300 varieties. The height of Asians ranges from 30 centimeters to 1 meter. A characteristic feature of all varieties of this group is the absence of odor.Flowers are unpretentious to growing conditions, frost-resistant and are rarely exposed to diseases and pests. The most popular representatives suitable for growing in the middle zone include: New Cento up to 85 cm high with yellow-green petal color; Aaron with double petals of a white-yellow hue; Mapira with black and burgundy flowers.
• Interspecific hybrids. This group includes varieties that cannot be classified as a specific species. These are East Asian, trumpet and leaf-oriental hybrids. The most striking representative is the Pretty Woman variety, up to 180 cm high with a white-yellow shade of petals.

Advantages and disadvantages

Before starting the process of growing bush lilies, all the positive and negative qualities of the crop are studied. The benefits of such plants include:

• Spectacular appearance thanks to the volume and number of colors.
• The presence of a bright and pleasant aroma in many varieties.
• No need for frequent transplants.
• A simple breeding method.

Among the disadvantages of culture:

• Demanding on soil quality.
• The need to install supports for tall varieties.
• The occurrence of fungal diseases due to poor care.
• The need for winter insulation of certain varieties.

Features of growing such flowers

Before starting the process, a suitable location is determined, the soil and material are prepared, and only after that they begin to plant bush lily bulbs.

Site selection

The soil for growing bush lilies should be moderately loose and fertile. Most varieties prefer open areas, but can also thrive in light shade. Dry soil and areas with excess moisture are equally harmful to lilies. If tall hybrids are grown, it is necessary to protect them from drafts and strong gusts of wind that damage the plants. Therefore, the site is chosen near buildings or trees.

Soil preparation

The soil for planting lilies is prepared in the fall. The area is dug up, weed roots are removed and fertilizers are applied. In the spring, immediately before planting the bulbs, the soil is again loosened to the depth of planting the lilies. If the soil is clayey, add sand and peat chips to improve air and water permeability.

Planting bush lilies

The technology of the planting process depends on the chosen method and the available seed material:

• Some gardeners use seeds for planting, but such flowers will delight you with their appearance no earlier than after 5 years.
• It is much easier to use lily bulbs for planting. They are purchased at specialized retail outlets and kept for about half an hour in a weak manganese solution.

The depth of planting the bulbs depends on the variety; this parameter is usually indicated in the description. Experienced gardeners consider a depth three times the height of the bulb to be preferable. After completing the process, it is recommended to mulch the root space with humus or peat. This procedure allows you to retain the required amount of moisture in the soil and prevent the germination of weeds.

How to properly care for a plant

Caring for bush lilies in the open ground comes down to watering, fertilizing, weeding and protective measures against diseases and insects. In cold regions, preparing the plant for winter is added to this list.

Watering and fertilizing

Bush lilies are moistened only during periods of severe drought or when the soil dries out.The plant does not need abundant watering; excess moisture causes the development of fungal diseases and rotting of the bulbs. Watering is carried out either early in the morning or in the evening, when the heat subsides. It is unacceptable to spray lily leaves in the middle of the day - this will lead to burns.

The first fertilizer is applied immediately before planting, during the soil preparation process.

Peat and humus are used for this, but fresh manure is destructive for lily bulbs. The next fertilizing is applied when the green shoots are at least 12 cm from the soil level. Use 30-40 grams of nitrogen fertilizers dissolved in a bucket of water. This volume is enough to recharge 1 sq. meters of plantings.

Another 2 weeks, after the process of loosening the soil, add nitrophoska, using 1 square meter. meter 50 grams of substance. At the stage of bud formation, a top dressing of 10 g of potassium salt and the same amount of superphosphate is used, which are dissolved in a bucket of water. And the last feeding is carried out after the buds have faded - mineral compositions are used in liquid form. It would also be a good idea to sprinkle the root space with wood ash at the beginning of summer - this is not only a useful component for lilies, but also the prevention of fungal diseases.

Preparing for winter

Winter insulation depends on the planted variety. Some species are more frost-resistant, others less so; all information about these characteristics is presented in the description of the varieties. If the flowers are cold-resistant, it is enough to cut the stems and throw dry foliage on top. If the variety cannot withstand frosty winters, a shelter made of spunbond or agrospan is built on top. You can also use spruce branches.

How to protect flowers from diseases and pests

Bush lilies are occasionally damaged by viral and fungal diseases and pests:

• Viral diseases. They are considered the most dangerous, since they not only damage lilies, but also quickly spread throughout the entire area. Most often, gardeners encounter the tobacco and cucumber mosaic virus. The first signs of damage are yellowing of the foliage, which subsequently looks more and more lethargic and begins to curl. To prevent the spread of viruses, immediately cut off the affected leaves using a disinfected tool. The cut sites are treated with crushed activated carbon tablets.
• Fungal. They appear when the watering regime is incorrect and the area is not ventilated. First of all, a white coating resembling moss appears on the stems; if this symptom is not responded to in time, the bulb is affected and the plant dies. If signs of fungus appear, lilies are treated with any fungicidal preparation once a week until the culture is completely cured.
• The most common insects found on lilies are aphids and the lily beetle. If there are not many pests, you can get by using folk remedies - infusion of nettle, garlic, red pepper, green soap, wiping the leaves with a low concentration alcohol solution. In the case when the insects have managed to breed, you cannot do without the use of acaricidal drugs - “Aktara”, “Aktellik”.

Reproduction methods

To breed lilies on the site, several proven methods are used:

• Dividing a nest of bulbs.
• Separation of daughter bulbs.
• Use of scales.
• Seed method (rarely used due to the length of the process).

Examples of use in landscape design

The lilies themselves become the center of the composition, so less bright plants are selected next to them, which emphasize the beauty of exotic beauties. For example, low-growing herbaceous perennials are used. A mix of lilies and irises looks interesting, but the flowers have different care requirements, which must be foreseen in advance.