The White Heaven Lily brings an elegant touch to any garden space with its striking pure white, trumpet-shaped flowers and delightful fragrance. This article provides guidance for cultivating this appealing lily.
Meet the White Heaven Lily
The Lilium ‘White Heaven’ is a type of Trumpet Lily, also known as Easter Lily. Its large, pure white, trumpet-shaped blossoms can measure up to 7 inches long, featuring gently recurved tips, a yellowish-white heart, and orange-yellow stamens. Each sturdy stem typically produces three to six outward-facing blooms, exuding a sweet fragrance. Growing 2 to 3 feet tall, with some reaching 5 feet, the plant blooms from mid to late summer.
Planting Your White Heaven Lily
White Heaven Lilies thrive in well-drained soil and prefer full sun to partial shade, ideally with morning sun and afternoon shade in hotter climates. Good air circulation and protection from strong winds help safeguard their stems and flowers.
Before planting, amend the soil with organic matter to improve drainage and fertility. Ideal soil is light, loamy, with a pH around 6.0. Plant bulbs 6 to 8 inches deep, or about three times their height, and space them 12 to 18 inches apart. The best time for planting is fall or early spring.
Ongoing Care for White Heaven Lily
White Heaven Lilies need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily, though they tolerate partial shade. While they appreciate consistent moisture, ensure well-drained soil to prevent waterlogging and bulb rot. Water thoroughly, especially during dry periods and active growth.
These lilies prefer fertile, organic-rich soil. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting and again in early spring as new growth appears. An additional feeding before flowering encourages abundant blooms. A summer mulch helps keep the root zone cool and retains soil moisture.
Taller varieties may benefit from staking for support, especially in windy locations. After blooms fade, deadhead to prevent seed production and direct energy towards bulb development. Allow foliage to remain until it naturally yellows and dies back, usually in late fall, as leaves are essential for recharging the bulb for the next season.
Dealing with Pests and Diseases
White Heaven Lilies can encounter pests and diseases. The lily leaf beetle feeds on foliage, buds, and flowers, appearing as bright scarlet adults or lumpy, orange larvae. Hand-picking is effective for small infestations; neem products or spinosad can manage larger populations, but avoid use when bees are active.
Aphids can infest lilies and transmit lily mosaic virus, causing yellow streaking or mottling on leaves. Rinsing aphids off with a forceful water spray helps control them. Diseases like botrytis blight (brown elliptical spots) and basal rot (yellowing leaves, bulb rot) are linked to wet, poorly drained soil. Good drainage and air circulation prevent these issues.
Winterizing White Heaven Lily
Preparing White Heaven Lilies for winter dormancy ensures their return. After foliage completely yellows and dies back, typically in late fall, cut stems to ground level. This signals the plant’s resting phase.
Apply a layer of mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, over the planting area for insulation, especially in colder climates. This layer regulates soil temperature and prevents extreme freezing and thawing. In exceptionally harsh winters, gardeners may lift bulbs after the first frost, store them in a cool, dry, dark place, and replant in spring.