Gardeners often seek flowers named “lily” for continuous summer color, as the name suggests a long, vibrant bloom period. Achieving a sustained display requires understanding the difference between the botanical family of true lilies and the many popular flowers that merely share the common name. By combining several types of flowers and applying specific care techniques, a stunning, season-long “lily” display is possible.
Clarifying True Lilies and Common Names
The term “true lily” refers exclusively to plants within the genus Lilium. These plants grow from a scaly, underground bulb and have leaves arranged spirally around a single, unbranched stem. While admired for their dramatic size and intense fragrance, true lilies have a short bloom period, typically lasting only two to three weeks for any single stalk. Therefore, a true Lilium does not bloom continuously throughout the summer.
The search for an all-summer lily often leads to plants called lilies due to their similar flower shape, but which belong to entirely different botanical families. Daylilies (Hemerocallis) and Canna Lilies (Canna) are the most common plants mistaken for true lilies. A key difference lies in their underground structure: true lilies grow from bulbs, while these common garden imposters typically grow from thick, tuberous roots or rhizomes.
Lilium Varieties That Extend the Season
While individual Lilium stalks do not bloom all summer, gardeners can still achieve a seamless display by planting a succession of varieties with staggered bloom times. This method involves layering different hybrid groups that naturally flower in early, mid, and late summer. This ensures that as one group fades, the next begins its show, allowing for a continuous presence of true lilies from June until the first frost.
Asiatic Hybrids are the earliest true lilies to flower, typically beginning in late spring or early summer. These varieties are known for their bright, vibrant colors and upright, often unscented flowers, such as the orange ‘Enchantment’ or the yellow ‘Impala’. As the season progresses into mid-summer, the massive, highly fragrant Oriental Hybrids and Trumpet Lilies take over, including the classic white ‘Casa Blanca’ or the pink-edged ‘Stargazer’. Finally, Orienpet Hybrids (crosses between Oriental and Trumpet types) and certain species like Lilium speciosum ‘Uchida’ bloom the latest, extending the true lily season into early autumn.
Non-Lilium Plants Known for All-Summer Flowering
The plants that genuinely meet the “all-summer blooming” criteria are the non-Lilium varieties that are informally called lilies. Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are perhaps the most popular example, though their name reflects that individual flowers last only a single day. However, the plant produces many flower stalks, called scapes, that generate multiple new buds daily over a long period. Modern “reblooming” or “continuous blooming” cultivars, such as ‘Stella de Oro’ or ‘Happy Returns’, are specifically bred to send up new scapes repeatedly from early summer until fall.
Peruvian Lilies (Alstroemeria) are another excellent option, offering a seemingly endless supply of speckled, trumpet-shaped flowers from late spring until the first frost. These plants grow from tuberous roots and are highly prolific, often producing dozens of flowering stems throughout the season. Canna Lilies (Canna), which are related to ginger and bananas, provide a strong tropical presence with large flowers and dramatic foliage. Canna rhizomes produce multiple flowering spikes that bloom prolifically from mid-summer until frost, especially when given consistent moisture and warmth.
Maximizing Bloom Duration Through Proper Care
Regardless of the type of lily, certain maintenance practices can significantly maximize the duration and intensity of the bloom period. The most effective technique is deadheading, which is the removal of spent flowers immediately after they fade. This action prevents the plant from diverting energy into seed production, essentially tricking it into producing new flowers. Deadheading is particularly important for Daylilies and Canna Lilies to encourage new flower spikes.
Consistent and appropriate fertilization also sustains flower production throughout the summer. Plants expected to bloom continuously are heavy feeders and benefit from regular application of fertilizer high in Phosphorus (P). Phosphorus supports flower development, while excess Nitrogen (N) promotes leafy growth at the expense of blooms. Finally, ensuring adequate sunlight, typically six or more hours of direct sun daily, provides the necessary energy for the plant to sustain a lengthy flowering season.