The Stunning Late-Blooming Flower That'll Return To Your Garden On Its Own Each Year

Filling your flower beds with plants that bloom at different times is a great way to keep the magic of your garden going as long as possible. While many showy flowers fade by the end of summer, oriental lilies (Lilium orientale) can keep the drama going — sometimes well into the fall. With tons of hybrids and cultivars to choose from, this low-maintenance perennial will bring color to your garden year after year.

Unlike common daylilies, oriental lilies are considered true members of the Liliaceae family. Native to regions across Asia, Europe, and North America, these stunning flowers are known for their strong, sweet fragrance and colorful, late-blooming habit. Not to be confused with Asiatic lilies (Lilium asiatica), a shorter and earlier-blooming variety, oriental lilies can reach heights of 5 to 6 feet tall and often require staking to support the weight of their heavy, 6 to 9-inch blooms.

Extensively bred and hybridized, oriental lilies come in a range of colors, so you're sure to find a variety that stands out in your garden. The popular hybrid 'Stargazer' is known for its vivid, upright pink-spotted blooms, while the cultivar 'Casa Blanca' is praised for its broad white petals and slightly more compact growth. A staple in bouquets, these evocative blossoms are a favorite among cut-flower gardeners and pollinators alike. However, like all true lilies, these flowers are toxic to most pets, so make sure to keep these beauties far away from your furry friends.

Oriental lilies thrive in full sun, so keep that in mind when choosing the best spot in your garden to plant them. This fall-blooming bulb can be planted in either spring or late autumn, although blooms tend to be larger when plants have a chance to establish themselves during the winter months. Bulbs may spread and naturalize over time, but they can be easily divided in the springtime every few years.

Oriental lilies tolerate poor and acidic but not alkaline soils, so it's important to test your soil before planting. Good drainage is also crucial, as bulbs may rot if left in wet soil. If you live in an area with rainy winters, consider planting your lily bulbs in a container or overwintering them in a covered area to replant in spring. Adding a bit of fertilizer or organic matter to the soil may help your bulbs re-establish quickly.

Most hybrid lily bulbs are hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9. However, since every cultivar is different, you'll want to consult the care information for your specific variety to ensure you're giving your plant what it needs. If you live in an area where deer are common, consider protecting young stalks with wire cages to stop these pests from snacking on your lilies. After the plant begins flowering in late summer, you can encourage additional blooms to grow by cutting off spent flowers, also called deadheading.