Re: tiger lilies

Claire: Thanks. This is a big help. I have wondered about the different
colored tiger lilies--somehow they never looked quite right to me anyhow.
Nancy S.

>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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