How to Plant Orienpet Lilies
Like most lilies, you want to get Orienpet bulbs in the ground in the fall. Late fall is the best, but you can plant them as soon as the soil is workable in spring. First, choose a spot in full sun (at least six hours of direct sunlight each day) with well-drained soil, then place the bulbs in a hole 2 ½ times their height. Cover the bulbs with soil, pressing firmly to remove any air pockets, then water well. Orienpet lilies are hardy in Zones 4-9. Buy It: Spotlight Lily Tree Collection ($23, Breck’s)
How to Grow Orienpet Lilies
Another reason to plant Orienpet lilies is that they’re pretty tough; these hybrids are more heat-tolerant than either Oriental or trumpet lilies, and their sturdy stems rarely need staking. Once established, they can tolerate drought and downpours as long as they have well-drained soil and aren’t left sitting in water. Still, they’ll grow best if they get regular watering, especially in spring, before they flower, so it’s a good idea to give them a little extra water if your area is going through a drought. In mid-spring and early summer, scratch low-nitrogen fertilizer into the soil around each bulb. This will encourage strong growth and more gorgeous flowers. Depending on the variety, Orienpets usually start blooming in mid to late summer, with flowers lasting 6-8 weeks. When the foliage starts yellowing in the fall, cut the stalks off just above ground level. The stubs will remind you where you planted your lilies in spring, and they’ll grow back just as big and beautiful. If you live in a cold area, wait until after a few hard frosts, then mulch the stubs with chopped-up autumn leaves. Then, in the spring, gently rake away the mulch. Orienpets also need to be divided every four or five years. In early fall, divide the plants by digging up and separating the bulbs. Then replant where you want, or share some extra bulbs with friends. Deer and voles are the primary pests that might threaten your lilies. The buds can be tempting to deer, but spray-on repellent ($23, The Home Depot) can help keep them at bay. For voles, plant the bulbs in a plastic flowerpot with the bottom cut out. Then, bury the pot up to the rim.
What to Plant with Orienpet Lilies
Filling a bed with just lilies looks spectacular, but you can add some variety with a few other plants. For example, try planting clusters of three Orienpet bulbs about 12 inches apart in the back of a bed, then fill out the rest with these plants. Buy It: ‘Fire King’ Crocosmia ($12, Breck’s) Buy It: Scentara Double Blue Lilac ($36, The Home Depot) Buy It: ‘May Night’ Salvia ($5, Etsy)
