Tango Lilies bring vibrant color and unique patterns to any garden. These captivating flowers are a popular choice for gardeners seeking to add dramatic flair to their landscapes. With bold hues and distinctive markings, Tango Lilies effortlessly draw attention and can transform an ordinary bed into a spectacular display. Their visual appeal and straightforward cultivation contribute to their widespread admiration.
Understanding Tango Lilies
Tango Lilies are Asiatic Hybrid lilies, recognized for their distinct bicolored or heavily speckled petal patterns. Unlike older Asiatic varieties, these newer hybrids often feature larger blooms with fascinating spots or brushstrokes of a contrasting color, particularly in the throat of each flower. For instance, ‘Olina’ displays striking red with a nearly black center, while ‘Capuchino’ has cream-colored petals with brown-red speckles.
These lilies exhibit an upright growth habit, reaching heights of 36 to 48 inches on strong stems. They are easy to grow and maintain. Tango Lilies are hardy perennials, thriving across USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9.
Planting Your Tango Lilies
Successful cultivation of Tango Lilies begins with proper planting, which can be done in either fall or spring. Fall planting is recommended at least four weeks before the first hard frost, allowing bulbs to establish roots before winter. Alternatively, bulbs can be planted in early spring as soon as the ground becomes workable.
Choosing the right location is important for healthy growth and abundant blooms. Tango Lilies perform best in a site that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, though they can tolerate some partial shade. The soil should be well-drained and rich in organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, to prevent waterlogging which can harm the bulbs. Lilies prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, ideally between 5.5 and 7.0.
When planting, bulbs should be placed at a depth of two to three times their height, which translates to about 6 to 9 inches deep. This deep planting helps to keep the bulbs cool during warmer months and provides stability for the developing stems. For optimal display, plant bulbs in groups of three to five, spaced about 8 to 18 inches apart, allowing adequate room for growth and spread.
Ongoing Care for Tango Lilies
Once established, Tango Lilies benefit from consistent care to ensure vigorous growth and prolific blooming. They thrive in full sun, receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight per day, which is important for flower production. In regions with intense summer heat, some afternoon shade can help protect their blooms.
Watering should be consistent, especially during active growth and dry periods, aiming for about one inch of water per week through rainfall or irrigation. Maintain consistently moist, but not waterlogged, soil conditions, as excessive moisture can lead to bulb rot.
Fertilization supports robust growth. In early spring, as new shoots emerge, apply a balanced granular fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 blend. As summer approaches and the plants prepare to bloom, switch to a fertilizer higher in phosphorus and potassium (e.g., 5-10-10 or 10-15-15) to encourage flower production and strengthen the bulbs for the following season. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, as this can promote leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
Taller varieties may require staking to provide support and prevent stems from bending under the weight of their blooms. Deadheading, the practice of removing spent flowers, helps redirect the plant’s energy towards bulb development rather than seed production. Allow foliage to remain on the plant until it naturally whithers in late fall, as the leaves are essential for photosynthesizing and storing energy in the bulb for the next year’s blooms. In colder climates, applying a layer of mulch over the bulbs in the fall can provide insulation and protection during winter dormancy, which is necessary for the bulbs to produce flowers.
Addressing Common Tango Lily Issues
Gardeners may encounter several issues when growing Tango Lilies, including pests and diseases. Common pests include aphids, small sap-sucking insects that can transmit viruses between plants. Lily beetles, characterized by their bright red bodies, are another concern as both adult beetles and their larvae can defoliate plants. Handpicking these pests can help manage infestations.
Botrytis blight, a common fungal disease, appears as reddish-brown to tan spots on leaves and can spread rapidly in cool, wet conditions, leading to leaf dieback. Good air circulation, proper plant spacing, removal of plant debris, and avoiding overhead watering can help prevent this disease. Other diseases like Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani are soil-borne fungi that can cause bulb rot. Tulip Breaking Virus, spread by aphids, can cause yellow streaking and distorted flowers.
A lack of blooms often stems from insufficient sunlight. Overcrowding of bulbs can also lead to reduced blooms as plants compete for resources; dividing and replanting bulbs every three to four years can alleviate this.
Improper watering, whether too much or too little, and nutrient deficiencies, particularly a lack of phosphorus and potassium, can also inhibit flowering. Immature or small bulbs may not bloom in their first year, and planting bulbs too shallowly can also affect flowering. Leggy growth, where stems become elongated and weak, indicates that the plant is not receiving enough light and is stretching towards a light source.