Lily - a garden flower, pyramidal type

Lily flowers are attractive to many florists. They belong to the Liliaceae family. There are approximately 80 varieties of this plant. Numerous varieties and hybrids have been produced from them. In this article, you can learn everything about lilies.

Description of the flower

The official name "lily" translated from the Celtic language means "white". In fact, there are a wide variety of shades of this plant. It is also popularly called a water lily.

What does it look like

Lily is a flower that is a symbol of the virgin. It is also used as a talisman stone.

Lily is a plant that grows in the states of Asia, on the European part of the globe and on the North American continent.

What does a lily look like

The variety, as well as the natural conditions and place of growth, affect when lilies bloom.

Lily is a perennial plant. It grows from a bulb. The size of the latter varies from 1 to 30 cm. It can be in the form of a ball or an egg. The stem is straight and even. There are few shoots on its top.

The shape of the lily leaves depends on the type of plant. In some, they are in the form of a spiral, in others, in the form of a root rosette. Flowers can also be very diverse: star-shaped, flat, tubular, cupped, etc. Flowers form inflorescences. First, those that are below bloom, and then those that are above. Petals are found in a wide variety of colors. The fruits are presented in small boxes, they contain seeds. Reproduction can be by seeds and vegetatively.

Fruit

Many are interested in what color lilies are. Breeders have bred a variety of shades of this plant. A common color is white. Garden views can be orange, yellow, red, etc.

For many years, botanists have been trying to develop a blue or blue variety.

Classification by V.M.Baranova

According to V. Baranova's classification, eight stable features have been identified. On their basis, the genus is divided into 11 sections:

• Lilium - horizontal arrangement of flowers, their color is white;
• Eurolirium - drooping flowers, leaves are red, green or white;
• Martagon - flowers grow to the sides or up;
• Pseudomartagon - drooping flowers, leaves of various shapes and colors;
• Archeltrion - direction of flowers to the sides or up;
• Regalia - horizontal arrangement of flowers, snow-white perianth;
• Sinomartagon - drooping flowers;
• Sinolirium - upward direction of flowers;
• Pseudolirium - flowers look up, leaves are arranged in turn;
• Nepalensia - flowers directed upwards, perianth in the form of a bell.

Lily groups

New hybrids have been breeding for several years. There are about 10 thousand varieties and hybrids. New varieties appear every year. Alpine, bush, cone-shaped, nocturnal and petal species appeared among the last.

Asian hybrids

Includes the largest number of varieties (5000). The species included in this group are not whimsical in care. They easily adapt to new conditions and tolerate frost and shade.

Asian view

Curly

The flowers of the Dutch selection have strongly twisted petals. The group has other names: locust, curly, Turkish. The varieties are common in the forests of Europe and Siberia. The color of the petals can be orange, purple or yellow. Resistant to severe outdoor frosts. Bloom for three weeks.

Snow white

A distinctive feature is the snow-white petals with a slightly beige tint. The petals are rounded or have sharp edges. The diameter of the flowers is 10-12 cm. The varieties require careful maintenance and good lighting.

American

Distinctive features - a stem reaching 1.8 m, a combination of several colors, there are specks on the petals, buds of a conical, bell-shaped or tubular shape.

American hybrid

Longiflorum

The varieties are derived from Asian tropical species. They are not frost resistant. In this regard, in Russian conditions, they are grown in greenhouses or at home. The flowers are in the form of large bells. They can reach a height of up to 15 cm. The stem grows up to a meter.

Tubular and Orleans

The class includes about a thousand species that are distinguished by a strong odor. Blooming of the buds occurs in July. The varieties are unpretentious and tolerate frost well. Disease resistant. They must be planted in well-lit places. The stem reaches 190 cm.

Oriental hybrids

They grow in Australia, New Zealand and the USA. Resistant to disease and frost. They have large flowers reaching 25 cm in diameter. The color of the flowers can be white, pink and crimson. In some species, there is a strip of gold in the center. In some species, flowering begins in early August, in others, in early autumn.

Oriental hybrid

Interspecific

These varieties are the most modern. They are obtained by crossing different species and combine the best qualities. They can be very large. Several varieties of this group have been bred:

• LA hybrids - Asian and long-flowered species are crossed;
• OA hybrids - a combination of Oriental and Asian;
• OT hybrids - eastern and tubular groups;
• LO hybrids are oriental and long-flowered species.

Species

This is a wild-growing perennial group. Their size is small. It is difficult to grow such lilies in the garden, as they do not tolerate frost. They have a strong odor.

Economic value and application

Lilies are used in perfumery. Their scent is believed to be able to calm the nervous system.

In Siberia and the Far East, oat and two-row lily bulbs are eaten.

Use in landscape design

With the right combination of decorative lilies with other plants, it is possible to create very beautiful flower gardens that will delight with flowers all summer long. Red lilies go well with peonies and delphiniums, juniper, astilbe and alyssum. Water lilies are often used in swimming pools.

The orange lily is paired with plants that have large and spreading leaves. Barberries, magonia, euonymus will be a good background for them.

Tall varieties are planted as a background or as a hedge. Flowers look beautiful against the foreground of trees. Low grades will accentuate the tracks.

Lily combined with other plants

What lilies are suitable for growing

When caring for and growing lilies in the garden, remember that they do not like changing places. The area for the flower should be well lit. Also, the garden lily should grow in an area protected from strong winds. The soil is needed loose, drained and nutritious.

They are fed with mineral fertilizers, humus and peat.

When choosing a bulb, you should be guided by the following recommendations:

• the bulb must be strong;
• there should be no damage and rot;
• the length of the roots is 5 cm.

Ordinary

The common species has a simple branchy stem. The leaves are arranged in a spiral. In some species, the leaves form whorls. The stem may be densely leafy or sparsely arranged. The perianth includes six leaves. The plant reaches a height of 15 to 150 cm. In the center of the flower there are 6 pieces. stamens with anthers and one pistil.

Its cultivation takes place according to the classical scheme.

Pyramidal

The pyramidal lily belongs to the Asian group. The leaves of pyramidal plants are arranged in a spiral. After planting, it begins to bloom in a year. The leaves at the perianth are united by a funnel. A cup-shaped bud resembling a pyramid. There is practically no smell in pyramidal species. The cascading view reaches its peak of beauty in the third year. Among the varieties, the most popular is the Monomakh Hat.

Pyramidal lily

Planting and caring for a pyramidal lily flower is as follows:

• disembarkation is done in mid-spring;
• moderate watering is required;
• loosening in the open field is mandatory;
• you need fertilizing with nitrogen and complex fertilizers;
• garter if necessary.

Lily is a favorite flower of many. She is a frequent decoration in the garden. There is a huge variety of species and varieties, so every grower will choose something worthwhile for himself. In planting and care, the flower is undemanding, the main thing is to plant and care for it correctly.