Content
Lily May Wedding is a new selection that captivates with the beauty of its snow-white flowers and pleasant aroma. Translated, the name of the hybrid means “my wedding,” which fully corresponds to its decorative nature. This lily looks good in the garden and is great for cutting as its flowers have the ability to stay fresh for a long time. However, maximum decorativeness from a hybrid can be achieved only if the rules of planting and further care are followed.
Lily May Wedding blooms magnificently already in the year of planting
History of appearance
This hybrid belongs to the category of Eastern or Oriental perennial species. Dutch breeders worked on its creation. The basis for My Wedding was the beautiful and golden lily, which is native to East Asia. It is not known for certain which varieties were involved in the creation of this hybrid. However, thanks to multi-stage selection, it was possible to develop a hybrid that is distinguished not only by the unique beauty of its flowers, but also by its high frost resistance, which makes it possible to grow it in regions with a temperate climate.
In catalogs this lily is found under the name “My Wedding”.
Description of the May Wedding lily with photo
The hybrid is medium-sized. It forms an upright, strong stem that can easily withstand the load of flowers and does not require additional support. The height of the perennial in open ground reaches 120 cm, and when grown in flowerpots - about 90 cm.
The leaves of the lily are sessile, evenly spaced on the shoot. The lower plates are much larger than the others. The leaves are smooth, elongated, dark green in color.
The hybrid is highly frost-resistant. It can withstand temperatures down to -30 °C.
Lily My Wedding needs to be replanted every 3-4 years
Features of flowering
The flowering period of the perennial begins in early July and continues throughout the month. 8-10 buds are formed on the stem. Their diameter when fully opened is 20 cm. The flowers of the May Wedding lily are double, consist of several rows of petals, and are shaped like a lotus. When opened, they have a snow-white color, but later a soft light green tint may appear. The aroma is refined, pleasant, but not intense.
The edges of the petals are wavy and their tips are slightly curled, which gives the flowers volume and airiness. The buds bloom gradually from bottom to top on the shoot.
Advantages and disadvantages
This oriental hybrid has many advantages, which is why flower growers love it. However, it also has certain disadvantages that must be taken into account for its successful cultivation.
The buds of the hybrid are directed upwards
Advantages:
- highly decorative;
- long flowering;
- suitable for commercial and amateur cultivation;
- absence of stamens;
- high frost resistance;
- pleasant aroma;
- good compatibility with other species and garden crops.
Flaws:
- does not tolerate moisture stagnation;
- requires mulching for the winter;
- after rain, flowers lose their decorative effect;
- does not tolerate high nitrogen content in the soil.
Planting the May Wedding lily
Successful cultivation of an oriental hybrid directly depends on the correct location for it in the garden and planting. For lilies of this variety, sunny and slightly dark areas where moisture does not stagnate are suitable. The groundwater level in the area intended for this perennial must be at least 1 m.
The Eastern Double May Wedding lily prefers loose, well-drained soil. At the same time, it should be neutral. To plant a hybrid bulb, you need to prepare a hole three times as deep as its size, but not less than 12 cm. Place a layer of sand 2 cm thick on the bottom. The bulb must be placed in the center of the hole, bottom down, sprinkled with earth and lightly compacted. When planting in moist soil, no additional watering is necessary.
If the bulb sprouts during storage, then when planting they need to be buried in the soil. The hybrid can be planted in spring and autumn. In the first case, the optimal time is the end of April or the beginning of May, and in the second, early to mid-September.
Caring for the May Wedding lily
Caring for the My Wedding lily requires compliance with certain rules of agricultural technology. It is recommended to water the hybrid only during a long absence of rain. Moisturizing is especially important during bud formation and flowering. During these periods, watering is carried out 1-2 times a week, irrigating the soil at the base of the stem and wetting the soil to a depth of 10 cm.As weeds grow around the lily, they need to be removed. Deep loosening is contraindicated in order not to damage the daughter bulbs growing on top of the mother bulb.
The hybrid does not react well to drafts
It is necessary to fertilize the lily three times per season. It is recommended to fertilize for the first time in the spring when sprouts appear. During this period, you can use nitroammophoska at the rate of 20 g per plant, scattering the granules at the base of the perennial and then embedding them into the soil.
The second and third feedings for My Wedding lilies are recommended at the stage of bud formation and after flowering. During this period, you can use potassium monophosphate at the rate of 7 g per 10 l to water the plant.
After the flowers fade, the top of the Mai Wedding lily stem must be cut off, and the rest of it must be left as it feeds the bulb.
To successfully overwinter a hybrid in open ground, it is necessary to remove the shoot in late autumn and mulch the soil with pine litter. In addition, you need to cover the top with film and secure it with spruce branches. In this way, it will be possible to protect the bulb from excessive moisture, which can lead to its rotting.
It is not recommended to fertilize the May Wedding lily with organic matter.
Reproduction
During the growing process, the perennial produces daughter bulbs that can be used for propagation. Therefore, when transplanting May Wedding lilies to a new place, they need to be carefully separated, soaked in Maxim’s solution for 30 minutes, and then planted in a row at a distance of 10 cm.
Over the course of several years, young bulbs need to be grown until their diameter reaches 6-8 cm. After this, they can be transferred to a permanent place.
Conclusion
Lily May Wedding belongs to the category of species that cannot get lost even in the most numerous collection. Its voluminous white flowers captivate the eye and stand out from other garden crops. However, the hybrid needs certain growing conditions, since its viability directly depends on this. Therefore, when choosing My Wedding, this is worth taking into account.
Reviews of the lily May Wedding
