Content
Bush lily is an interesting find for landscape designers and gardeners. Bright caps collected from buds make any composition colorful and cannot but evoke a feeling of joy. Some gardeners provide well-founded information that such a crop does not exist in nature. Is this really so or do people just make a mistake? It’s worth looking into in more detail.
Are there bush lilies?
According to official literature, lilies are bulbous perennial plants with a strong stem covered with dense foliage. After the growing season, the above-ground part dies off, while the underground part remains. The latter, with the arrival of spring, gives rise to new green shoots, as a result of which the culture is renewed.
Shrubs have a different classification and characteristics. With the onset of late autumn, they retain their stems and leaves. This is the main difference between lilies and bush varieties. Getting closer to the question, the lily is not a bush plant, and it received a similar name among the people - for its lush inflorescences.
Bush types of lilies are characterized by strong pedicels, since they contain several large buds at once.
In turn, the stem underwent metamorphosis, becoming denser and harder in comparison with classic varieties
Depending on the variety, the dimensions of the flowers, as well as their number, may vary. According to scientists, bush lilies owe their existence to a random phenomenon called fasciation. With it, the pedicels and stems are in close contact with each other, and fusion occurs.
There are several reasons for close contact between shoots. Firstly, this is simple damage to the root part, due to which the stem is forced to lean towards its nearest neighbor. Secondly, the varietal predisposition of lilies to grow precisely as a bush variety, scientists regularly experiment on this.
Other reasons are related to external conditions: intense solar radiation or (less often) its absence, as well as the appearance of insects and diseases of any kind. It has not been scientifically proven, but there is an assumption that the pyramidal bush lily is formed as a result of frequent feeding, unsuitable temperature and high humidity.
Varieties of bush lilies with photos and names
Experts identify a group of varieties that are susceptible to natural growth and do not require any outside effort. As a rule, its representatives are oriental hybrids.
Varieties of bush types of lilies with photos, suitable for garden cultivation in Russia:
- Marlene. A striking representative of oriental hybrids with amazing winter hardiness. The bush type of lily grows up to 1 m in height. Flowering begins in the summer and lasts until the arrival of cold weather, at which time numerous flowers of a soft pink hue are formed.
The diameter of the buds can exceed 20 cm, the stamens emit a faint odor
- El Divo. Another hybrid with strong stems and dense foliage. The height of the bush pyramidal lily is more than 1.2 m. In addition to its enormous size, the flowers are characterized by a monotonous color.
Sunny buds appear in early summer
- Spring Pink. Terry bush lily, not as tall as previous specimens - only 60-80 cm. Excellent for home growing. Despite their overall compactness, the diameter of the flowers exceeds 14 cm. They are characterized by delicate colors with a large number of contrasting inclusions.
Budding occurs in mid-summer, usually in the first ten days of July
- Graffiti. One of the most resistant varieties of bush lilies, which has strong immunity and beautiful 18-cm buds. After opening, the flowers acquire a bright sunny color.
The height of the Graffiti bush is 0.5-1 m
- Royal. The flowers of the variety resemble large white funnels. On the outside they have a reddish tint, on the inside they are yellowish. The bush lily attracts pollinators and emits a strong scent that is pleasant to the human nose.
The plant usually does not exceed 1 m in height and does not require winter protection.
When to Plant a Bush Lily
Planting begins in the first half of autumn. The subsequent cold season will become a period of stratification for the bush lily, which will increase frost resistance and strengthen the immune system of the plantings. If desired, you can plant the crop in the spring.
How to plant bush lily
Even experienced gardeners should not neglect planting rules. If the owner wants the flowers of the bush lily to be as large and beautiful as in the photo, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the growing conditions and select a suitable site where the crop will spend its childhood.
Site selection
Bush lilies prefer open spaces where sunlight freely penetrates. Poor lighting is the main reason why buds look weak.
Another important factor is the protection of plantings from air currents. Drafts cause flowers to fall off prematurely.
Soil preparation
The soil should be prepared in advance. Shrub lilies value qualities such as looseness and nutrient density. Areas with heavy substrates should be avoided. If the entire area is clayey, the soil is dug up and mixed with sand and peat.
Landing technology
To speed up the adaptation of planting material, the bulbs are kept in a pink solution of potassium permanganate for half an hour. When the procedure is completed, the raw materials are dried.
Healthy bulbs that do not show signs of rotting are suitable for planting. A drainage element - brick fragments or small stones - and fertilizer, which are recommended as wood ash and rotted manure, are placed in the hole.
It is advisable to treat the beds with fungicides, since fungal spores may be hiding in the soil, waiting for warm and humid weather
The bulbs are placed in a vertical position, the roots are carefully straightened to the sides. At the end, the bush lily is covered and watered.
Caring for a bush lily
The plant needs to be looked after. The complex of agrotechnical measures includes:
- Timely hydration. The substrate should not dry out; it is constantly kept moist. However, you should not bring the site to an extreme state - turning the plantings into a swamp. Water about once a week.
- Fertilizer. Thanks to its long roots, the bush lily is able to independently provide itself with nutrients. But if the territory is quite scarce, organic and mineral complexes should be added. Otherwise, the stems will break under the weight of the buds.
- Transfer. After five years, the perennial loses its former decorative effect, which is a signal of readiness for replanting. The new site must meet the same conditions - be sunny, moderately moist, nutritious.
Diseases and pests
Bush lilies are not susceptible to disease and insects. However, there is a group of ailments that can cause problems during cultivation:
- Mosaic virus.An extremely dangerous disease that quickly affects even an adult plant. Symptoms of damage include premature yellowing and curling of leaves.
It is impossible to cure bush lily, so the emphasis is on prevention
- Fungal infections. They arise as a result of waterlogging; pathogens can overwinter for several years in the soil, hiding under mown grass. From the side of the lesion they resemble white or grayish moss.
Fungal diseases of lilies are treated with fungicides
- Lily beetle. The insect has a red shell, making it easy to identify in the area. A small number of pests can be dealt with using folk remedies - nettle infusion or soap solution.
In case of massive pest infestation, insecticides are used
Application in landscape design
It is important to consider that not all spray lilies grow in the same conditions. For example, some varieties like partial shade, while others prefer full sun.
Dark lilies usually grow in shade, light ones - in open fields
Asian hybrids are resistant to drafts, so they are planted along walls
Large bush lilies immediately attract attention, becoming the main object of the composition. Designers advise placing less vibrant crops next to them, which will emphasize contrast.
Conclusion
The bush lily is rare, since the number of varieties prone to fasciation is limited. The plant has all the advantages of modern selection - resistance to pests and diseases, strong immunity, large size and a pleasant smell.
