Many lilies are valued as attractive plants and many have undergone significant hybridization. Their genus, Lilium, is a genus of 80 to 100 herbaceous flowering plants in the Liliaceae family that are common to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Being one of the most beautiful flowers in the world, lilies represent a variety of things in different cultures, varying from fertility, purity, and devotion to pride, passion, and fortune. For that reason, lilies are also widely used as cut flowers for various bouquets and flower arrangements that can be ordered from your local florists, or services like flower delivery Singapore.
Numerous other plants are often referred to as lilies but are not true lilies since they do not belong to the Liliaceae family. Some species that are not true lilies are perhaps being referred to as lilies because of their resemblance. This includes many from the Amaryllidaceae or Amaryllis family, while others are Daylilies, Calla or Canna lilies.
Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.)
Despite their flowers’ resemblance to lilies, daylilies are not true lilies. True lilies have only one stem or shoot that grows from a bulb, but daylilies have several leaves that sprout from a crown. Daylilies are well-liked for a variety of reasons. They are perennials that can grow easily and are great for borders and edging. They can withstand drought and flooding, are unharmed by high temperatures, and thrive in a variety of soils and light conditions.
Blooms are consistent from April through late summer. These flowers, which come in a range of cool and warm hues, can complement any colour scheme. Daylilies appear in a variety of colours, including orange, red, purple, and pink, with the yellow Stella D’oro being the most well-known. They range from simple one-colour designs with various coloured stamens or throats to more eclectic polychrome patterns with three or more colours in bloom. Other popular daylily varieties widely known for their quality and low maintenance includes lemon daylily, tawny daylily, wayside king daylily, star-struck daylily, and lavender vista daylily.
The hardy grass mounds will produce strong flower scapes from which dozens or more blooms will bloom, each for 24 to 36 hours, thus the name daylily. More scapes and blooms develop constantly from the middle of the mound throughout the summer. The height of a daylily clump can range from eight inches to five feet. Plant bare roots approximately three feet apart, as they will grow to a width of two to four feet. Daylilies grow on their own once planted, so give them a strong foothold. Work the soil to a depth of 15 inches when planting daylilies in beds, with lots of compost at the bottom. Daylilies may grow in a variety of soils, from light sand to heavy clay, but they prefer rich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. If your soil is sandy, you may expect it to dry quickly. Mix in some compost, peat, or leaf mould if your soil has a lot of clay since they all encourage reasonable moisture levels and offer nutrients and acids for the daylily’s desired slightly acidic soil pH.
Calla Lilies
Calla lilies, also known as Zantedeschia aethiopica, are magnificent trumpet-shaped flowers native to South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland, from the Araceae family. The species and cultivars are prized for their vibrant blooms and foliage, which are frequently cultivated as decorative plants. Despite having the name lily in the common name, they are not considered as true lilies of Liliaceae. This lovely plant, which comes in a variety of hues and grows from rhizomes, is perfect for use in beds and borders. Smooth, sword-like leaves with white freckles may be found on the plants. This foliage is tidy and appealing throughout the season, both before and after the blooms emerge. Calla lilies may also be grown as houseplants in pots, either outside or in a sunny window. Calla lilies make excellent cut flowers too, they are simple to put together and can last up to two weeks in a vase. When you plant Callas in a cutting garden, you can grow a variety of hues and have enough flowers for calla lily bouquet.
Canna Lilies
Another flower with the name Lily in their common name but is not classified as a true lily is the canna lily. The canna lily plant is a rhizomatous perennial with tropical-looking leaves and big iris-like blooms. Canna lilies are low-maintenance and easy-to-grow plants that provide long-lasting beauty in the yard with both their blooms and leaves. The blossom might be red, orange, or yellow in colour. The colour of the leaves varies with type, from green to maroon, bronze, and multicolour kinds. Cannas may be grown in pots or planted outdoors in warm regions. Wait until the threat of frost has gone before planting canna lily plants in the spring. Cannas should be planted approximately a foot or two apart in groups. Cannas like wet conditions but will grow in virtually any well-draining neutral or slightly acidic soil.
Nature enthusiast and outdoorsy soul, Scott Procter’s blog is an invitation to explore the natural world. Join him in his quest to reconnect with the great outdoors and embrace a life in harmony with nature.
