True lilies (Lilium spp.) , grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 10, belong to the genus Lilium, though a number of other plants with similar attributes have the common title lily. The genus contains 100 species that are separated into various divisions: American, Asiatic, Aurelian, Candidum, Longiflorum, Martagon, Oriental, authentic species and Trumpet.
Flowers
All of lily flowers have three petals surrounded by three sepals, and they come in colors including orange, yellow, white, pink and purple. Flowers are hermaphroditic, with both male and female reproductive tissues, for self-pollination. Six long stamens protrude from the middle of the blossom, holding the pollen-filled anthers out therefore they catch wind more easily. While the basic areas of the flower will be the same across all of lily varieties, blossom shape varies with various species. The fundamental lily blossom shapes are trumpet, star, bowl, funnel and recurved, also called Turk’s cap. Flowers might face up, down or to the other side. The internal section of the blossom is frequently spotted or a good color different than the remainder of the blossom color. Not all of lily species produce flowers.
Bulbs
Lilies grow from lights with three main components: the growing tip, fleshy scales as well as the basal plate. The growing tip faces in the floor and is the point where flowers emerge. The basal plate faces down in the ground and is the point where new growth buds, roots and scales develop. The scales are a kind of underground leaf that collects and stores food for the dormant period. Bulb scales vary in color and are frequently utilised to identify lily species in the absence of flowers and foliage. New lily plants can be increased by digging crowded lily bulbs and splitting the lights into smaller sections. It is possible to dig lily bulbs each year and then store them for your dormant period or leave them at the soil, based on the temperature.
Stem
Lily flowers develop on top of long flower stalks that vary in height using distinct lily species, with a few only approximately 1 foot tall and others growing up of 10 feet tall. Most lily stems are a shade of green, which range between light green and dark green, while there are a number of lilies with red or purple stems. Stems are generally quite sturdy, but a few lily blooms are so big that they make the depths to lean or bend. Catch a stake in the ground with the stem and tie the two together to encourage the plant. With so many different lily species, you may easily plant an entire flower bed with only lilies, using tall species as a backdrop, with smaller plants at the middle and also the smallest lilies as border plants across the front of the bed.
Leaves
While lily leaves appear unimpressive, they’re actually the main component responsible for making the gorgeous flowers. The leaves catch sunlight and convert it to carbohydrates, which can be stored at the bulb to produce the flowers. You might be tempted to cut down foliage the moment your lilies finish blooming, but you should allow the leaves to die back naturally in order that they can help prepare the lights for winter dormancy. Leaves might grow only around the base of the plant close to the ground, or else they might develop all they way up the stem to just underneath the flowers, such like Easter lilies (L. longiflorum). Many lilies make leaves in whorls up the stem. Some leaves are long and narrow like grass blades, while others are wide and short.