Fritz Creek Gardens | Lilies for Alaskan Gardens

Lilies for Alaskan Gardens

At Fritz Creek Gardens, we hope you're as excited about our outstanding lineup of hardy garden lilies as we are to offer even more varieties for 2008. We sold out early in our 2007 season, so don't delay in ordering early if you want some of these beauties for your garden!

Easy to grow, most lilies multiply moderately, and I've never seen a moose bite off these heads like they do with tulips. Have you?

Our lilies are planted usually three very large bulbs to a one-gallon or two-gallon pot, ready to bloom this season. Plant them about six to eight inches deep. Put a couple of pieces of chalk (they like lime) in the hole and water them. Hold off on the water the rest of the season unless it is really dry, otherwise you might rot the bulbs. They prefer well-drained, partly sandy soils but we have them everywhere in our gardens in many different conditions and enjoy great success. Most lilies are hardy to at least a zone 3 and with snow cover, perhaps zone 2.

Lilies are complicated forms and fall into many different categories, including downward-facing, outward-facing, upward-facing, etc. Our web site is not geared to be a scientific study. Michael Jefferson-Brown and Harris Howland have a book out called "The Gardener's Guide to Growing Lilies" and several more can be found searching the Internet, if you desire further research or information.

Be sure to check out the many varieties we grow. We have grouped them under two popular categories, Asiatic Lilies and the L.A. Hybrids. We also are carrying two very special lilies this season, a Double Tigrinium and one Martagon.

Can't make up your mind which one to choose? 'Lolly Pop,' 'Dazzle,' 'Fangio' and 'Salmon Classic' are happy mingled with 'Lauren's Grape' poppy, giant alliums and other perennials. Lilies make excellent cut flowers; they stay fresh for a long time in the vase.

In the photo on right, notice the different lily bloom times: the yellows are in full bloom and the port (red) lilies are not quite opened yet. It is possible to have lilies blooming for eight-plus weeks!

'Salmon Classic' lily mixed with Achillea 'Terra Cotta' (photo at top of page) makes an excellent combination. There seems to be a matching Achillea for every lily color and they bloom at the same time. Leaf, texture and color all combine to make an outstanding display.

Spiky, later-blooming perennials (left) add interest and contrast to a creamy yellow lily with dark stamens in our gardens. Whether you choose an Asiatic or L.A. hybrid lily, you will find them to be very hardy and even attract hummingbirds! (Special photography by Cass Hillstrand.)

In our gardens, grasses and other late summer blooming perennials extend our short summer seasons.