Asiatic lilies are popular garden bulbs, prized for their vibrant, upward-facing flowers and easy growth habit. They offer a wide range of colors, from bold reds and oranges to soft pinks and creams. However, they do not bloom continuously through the entire summer season. The display provided by an Asiatic lily is intense and condensed, making it a short-lived feature in the early summer garden.
The Specific Blooming Cycle of Asiatic Lilies
Asiatic lilies are the earliest lilies to flower, typically beginning their bloom period in late spring or early summer (late May into early July), depending on the climate. The entire flowering period for a single clump lasts approximately three to four weeks. During this time, the plant produces a high bud count on each sturdy stem.
The bloom duration is extended because the buds on a single stalk open in a staggered sequence, not all at once. While an individual flower lasts about a week, the sequential opening of multiple blossoms prolongs the visual impact of the stalk. Once the last flower fades, the plant moves into its post-bloom phase, where its foliage continues to perform photosynthesis to nourish the underground bulb.
Why Asiatic Lilies Do Not Rebloom
The short, single-season flowering of the Asiatic lily is due to its non-recurrent flowering habit. These plants produce one main flower stalk per bulb each year. Once the terminal flower and all secondary buds on that stalk have faded, the bulb’s energy is redirected.
Instead of initiating new flower buds for a second flush of blooms, the plant focuses on storing energy in the underground bulb for the following season’s growth. This process, known as bulking up, requires the foliage to remain green to absorb sunlight and create carbohydrates for next year’s display. Removing spent flowers (deadheading) prevents the plant from expending energy on developing seeds, ensuring resources are conserved for future flowering.
Achieving Season-Long Lily Color Through Staggering
While a single Asiatic lily will not bloom all summer, gardeners can achieve continuous lily color by employing a strategy known as staggering. This technique involves planting different types of true lilies that naturally bloom at successive times throughout the growing season. Asiatic hybrids, with their May-to-June bloom time, serve as the earliest component of this progression.
To follow the Asiatics, mid-season bloomers such as Trumpet lilies or LA (Longiflorum-Asiatic) Hybrids should be planted, typically beginning flowering in July. These lilies offer larger, often fragrant flowers that bridge the gap to the later season.
The progression concludes with late-season varieties like Oriental lilies or OT (Oriental-Trumpet) Hybrids, which bloom from mid-August through early September. By selecting a diverse mix of these lily divisions, a gardener can enjoy vibrant flowers from early summer until fall frost.