Lily Tango lilies offer a vibrant spectacle for any garden, known for their striking colors and unique patterns. These captivating flowers, a specific type of Asiatic lily, bring an exotic flair with their distinct appearance. Gardeners often seek them out for their robust nature and the visual interest they add to perennial beds and containers. Their appeal lies in their ability to deliver a burst of color with relatively straightforward care requirements.
Distinctive Features of Lily Tango Lilies
Lily Tango lilies are distinguished by their exceptional bi-color patterns, often featuring a deep, contrasting color concentrated in the center of the petals that appears to “bleed” outwards. This creates a speckled or brushed effect towards the tips. Varieties like ‘Lionheart’ boast almost black centers with bright yellow tips, while ‘Capuchino’ can display cream petals with brown-red sprinkles. These Asiatic hybrids produce larger flowers than older Asiatic varieties and bloom from early to mid-summer. Lily Tango lilies generally reach heights of 3 to 4 feet, providing a strong vertical element in garden designs and are well-suited for cut flower arrangements.
Planting Lily Tango Lilies
These bulbs thrive in locations that receive full sun to partial shade. Well-draining, rich soil is essential. Amending heavy clay soils with organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure improves drainage and nutrient content.
Plant bulbs two to three times their height deep, typically around 6 inches for larger bulbs, with the pointy end facing upwards. Space bulbs approximately 8 to 12 inches apart to allow for proper air circulation and future growth, as they will multiply over time. The ideal time for planting Lily Tango lilies is in the fall, at least four weeks before the first hard frost, or in early spring once the soil is workable and the threat of frost has passed.
Ongoing Care for Lily Tango Lilies
Consistent moisture is important for Lily Tango lilies throughout their active growing season, particularly if rainfall is less than one inch per week. While they dislike dry conditions, allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent bulb rot. Watering deeply at the base of the plant helps reduce the risk of fungal diseases. Applying a balanced, slow-release fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 NPK formula, in early spring as new growth emerges and every few weeks until blooming concludes, supports healthy development and flower production.
Deadheading spent blooms by removing faded flowers prevents the plant from expending energy on seed production, redirecting that energy back to the bulb for future blooms. Do not remove foliage until it naturally yellows and dies back in the fall, as these leaves are crucial for photosynthesis and storing energy for the following year’s growth.
Winterizing and Dormancy
Lily Tango lilies, being perennial, can often be left in the ground year-round in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9. In colder climates within this range, or if extreme winter conditions are anticipated, applying a layer of mulch around the base of the plants provides insulation and helps protect the bulbs from freezing temperatures. Once the foliage has completely yellowed and died back in late fall, it can be cut back to ground level, signaling the plant’s entry into dormancy.
In regions with very harsh winters outside their hardiness range, some gardeners may choose to lift and store the bulbs indoors in a cool, dry place until spring. For most home gardeners within suitable zones, leaving them in the ground with adequate mulch is sufficient. This preparation allows the bulbs to rest and gather energy for robust growth and flowering in the subsequent growing season.
Troubleshooting Common Lily Tango Issues
Yellowing leaves can indicate either overwatering, leading to bulb rot, or underwatering, causing drought stress. Ensuring proper drainage and consistent, moderate moisture levels can resolve this. A lack of blooms often stems from insufficient sunlight, as lilies require at least six hours of direct sun daily for optimal flowering. Overcrowded bulbs or nutrient deficiencies can also inhibit blooming; dividing mature clumps every few years and providing balanced fertilizer can help.
Pests like the scarlet lily beetle can cause significant damage by feeding on leaves, stems, and flowers. Handpicking these bright red beetles and their larvae is an effective organic control method, especially when done frequently. Organic sprays like neem oil or spinosad can also be applied in the evenings to target young larvae, avoiding harm to beneficial pollinators. Fungal diseases such as Botrytis blight, characterized by brown spots on leaves, can be managed by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering.