Re: tiger lilies

In a message dated 1/10/01 4:11:43 PM Eastern Standard Time, stedman@RCN.COM
writes:

<< I'm wondering how dangerous these really are to other lilies. I've found
 that they grow pretty well in dry shade and would like to plant some but
 I've read they always carry viruses. Is it possible that cultivars rather
 than the straight species don't carry viruses? Or that ones bought from a
 really reputable place might not have them? >>


Nancy,

I have been reading about tiger lilies and viruses for more than thirty
years. Our garden which is an old farm with plenty of old fashioned self
seeding plants has tiger lilies (lilium lancifolium now, I think) popping up
in many places.  It is true that they will grow on nearly any site you can
provide, bearing taller stems and more flowers in good soil with some water.
Some bulb catalogs are selling a form that is "improved".  This is supposed
to grow taller and bear more flowers.  I have not noticed it described as
virus free.

As to viruses, I would have say that my experience is that this is true.  One
does not send failing lilies to the laboratory but after a few years of
failing orientals, you assume this is the reason.  Orientals and the trumpet
classes will eventually, sometimes in one year, bear streaked foliage and do
poorly.  Here and there one will seem immune.  The tiger lily itself will
bear streaked leaves with browned leaves half way up the stem when under
stress as severe drought.

Asiatic lilies do much better. I have had little disease with asiatic
hybrids.  The mice and voles are a much greater danger.   Since I cannot do
anything effective to change the soil on my acres, I generally avoid oriental
and trumpet lilies or assume they are here for just a short time.  I have
some groups of that old hybrid 'Enchantment' which are able to outgrow the
mice and the viruses.   If you want to add other lilies to your garden a lily
specialist will have truly beautiful asiatics that are not sold in garden
centers.

Finally, I like tiger lilies generally liking to have some plants that are
permanent and carefree.  They are the best cut flowers lasting for weeks in
water.  Some gardeners avoid orange, magenta or deep yellow anything.   The
only tiger lily with any vigor is the orange one.

Aggain some catalogs, even the better dealers, are selling L. lancifolium in
several colors.  There is a pink and some others.  None of these has ever
grown well for me and none are left in the garden.

Claire Peplowski
NYS z4
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