Bush lily: description of varieties, planting and care in the open field

Spruce lily is more of a folk name than a botanical one. In nature, such flowers do not exist, and lush bushes of lilies 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 focus of the entire garden composition and attract admiring glances throughout the entire flowering period. There is nothing difficult in planting and growing spray lilies, so even a beginner in floriculture will cope with the process.

General description of spray 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 translates as whiteness. Indeed, the first specimens of the culture were snow-white, and only later they began to produce flowers with different colors of petals. The bulbous plant has green glossy leaves and bell-shaped flowers. The most fragrant are long-flowered and oriental hybrids.

Popular varieties

To get a lush lily bush, opt for 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 advised to pay attention to 2 varieties: Claude Schride and Slates Moning. The first stretches to a height of up to 2 meters and blooms with bells with dark red petals.The second does not exceed 90 cm in height and has a yellowish tint of petals. For all curly hybrids, shaded areas are the preferred planting site. It is necessary to immediately determine the location correctly, as this species does not like transfers.
• Asian hybrids. These hybrids were obtained in the process of crossing 9 types 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 smell. Flowers are unpretentious to growing conditions, frost-resistant and rarely exposed to diseases and pests. The most popular representatives suitable for growing in the middle lane include: New Cento up to 85 cm high with yellow-green petals; Aaron with terry petals of a white-yellow hue; Mapira with black and maroon flowers.
• Interspecific hybrids. This group includes varieties that cannot be attributed to any particular species.These are East Asian, tubular and leaf-oriental hybrids. The most striking representative is the variety Pretty Wumen up to 180 cm high with a white-yellow tint of petals.

Advantages and disadvantages

Before starting the process of growing a spray lily, all the positive and negative qualities of the culture are studied. The benefits of such plants include:

• Effective appearance due to the volume and number of colors.
• The presence of a bright and pleasant aroma in many varieties.
• No need for frequent transfers.
• Easy breeding method.

Among the shortcomings of culture:

• Demanding on the quality of the soil.
• Need to install supports for tall varieties.
• The occurrence of fungal diseases with illiterate care.
• The need for insulation for the winter of certain varieties.

Features of growing such flowers

Before starting the process, they are determined with a suitable place, prepare the soil and material, and only after that they start planting bush lily bulbs.

Select site

The soil for growing spray lilies should be moderately loose and fertile. Most varieties prefer open areas, but can also thrive in light shade. Equally harmful to the lily is overdried land and areas with excess moisture. 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 has been prepared since autumn.The site is dug up, the roots of weeds are removed and fertilizers are applied. In the spring, just before planting the bulbs, the soil is again loosened to the depth of planting lilies. If the soil is clayey, add sand and peat chips to improve air and water permeability.

Planting spray lilies

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 please with their appearance not earlier than in 5 years.
• Much easier to use for planting lily bulbs. They are purchased at specialized outlets and kept for about half an hour in a weak manganese solution.

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

How to properly care for a plant

Open field care for bush lilies 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.

Water and fertilize

Humidification of the bush lily is carried out only during a period of severe drought or when the soil dries up. 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 cause burns.

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

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

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

Preparing for winter season

Insulation for the winter period depends on the variety planted. Some species are more frost-resistant, others less, 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 sketch dry foliage on top. If the variety does not withstand frosty winters, a spunbond or agrospan shelter is built on top. You can also use spruce branches.

How to protect flowers from diseases and pests

Spruce lilies occasionally damage viral and fungal diseases and pests:

• Viral diseases. They are considered the most dangerous, as they damage not only lilies, but also quickly spread throughout the site. Most often, gardeners are faced with tobacco and cucumber mosaic virus. The first signs of damage are yellowing of the foliage, which later 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 charcoal tablets.
• Fungal. They appear when the irrigation mode is incorrect and the area is not ventilated. First of all, a white coating appears on the stems, resembling moss, if you do not respond to this symptom in time, the bulb is affected, and the plant dies. When signs of a fungus appear, lilies are treated with any fungicidal preparation once a week until the culture is completely cured.
• From insects on lilies, aphids and lily beetles are most common. If there are not many pests, they manage with the use of folk remedies - an infusion of nettle, garlic, red pepper, green soap, rubbing the leaves with an alcohol solution of low concentration. In the case when the insects have managed to breed, you can not do without the use of acaricidal preparations - "Aktara", "Aktellik".

Reproduction methods

For breeding lilies on the site, several proven methods are used:

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

Landscape examples

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 flowers have different care requirements, which must be foreseen in advance.

Recommended