Oriental lily (Lilium 'Miss Lucy')
Lilium 'Miss Lucy' is a showy, fragrant Oriental lily featuring ruffled white double flowers. Low maintenance and easy to grow in hardiness zones 5-8.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Lilium ‘Miss Lucy’ is a magnificent addition to any perennial garden, celebrated as one of the earliest double-flowered Oriental lilies introduced commercially. This variety produces abundant, sweetly fragrant blooms that light up the summer landscape. Growing to a manageable height, this bulbous perennial offers significant visual impact through its unique structure.
The distinctive quality of this Oriental lily lies in its flowers: large, 6-7 inches wide, composed of 18 ruffled white petals, often displaying a subtle pink blush. Unlike many hybrids, Lilium ‘Miss Lucy’ lacks stamens and thus produces no messy pollen, making it an excellent choice for pristine arrangements or patios.
Gardeners consistently value Lilium ‘Miss Lucy’ for its low maintenance needs and stunning visual and aromatic performance. It thrives in average, well-drained environments, providing reliable color from July through August, making it a summer garden cornerstone.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Liliaceae
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-4 ft
- Spread: 0.75-1 ft
- Bloom Time: July to August
- Bloom Description: White (double) sometines with a pink blush
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Lilium ‘Miss Lucy’ bulbs should occur in the fall or very early spring for the best establishment; potted plants offer more flexibility and can be placed from spring through fall. Ensure the location offers rich, organic soil that is medium in moisture and drains well, as bulb rot is a risk in soggy conditions. For optimal performance, plant bulbs 4–6 inches deep, spacing groups of three about 12 inches apart for a fuller display.
Consistent, even moisture is crucial throughout the year, but drainage must remain excellent to prevent rot. A key cultural tip for lilies is arranging the site so the upper plant receives full sun, while the roots remain shaded and cool—use mulch heavily around the base to achieve this effect. Deadhead faded flowers immediately to prevent seed setting.
After the summer bloom fades, resist the urge to prune; allow the stems and foliage to yellow naturally before cutting them back. For taller specimens in windy areas, staking may be necessary to support the rigid stems throughout the growing season.
Landscape Uses
Lilium ‘Miss Lucy’ excels as a showy feature in the perennial border, providing dramatic color and contrast during mid to late summer. Planting bulbs in staggered groups of three enhances their visual density, creating compelling focal points against green backdrops.
Because this Oriental lily is sweetly fragrant, it is ideally positioned near high-traffic areas like patios, decks, or near windows where its scent can be enjoyed on warm evenings. These bulbs also adapt well to container culture, though the resulting flowers might be slightly smaller than those grown in the ground. Their upright habit makes them superb candidates for use as versatile cut flowers in fresh arrangements.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
Noteworthy Characteristics
Lilium is a genus of about 100 species of bulbous, herbaceous perennials native to Europe, North America and Asia south to the Philippines. ‘Miss Lucy’ is notable for being one of the first double-flowered oriental lilies (Division VII) to hit the market, boasting 18 ruffled white petals per bloom. These striking flowers appear atop stiff stems clothed with lanceolate, medium to dark green leaves, growing typically between 3 and 4 feet tall.
Tolerances
- None listed
Potential Problems
Lily leaf beetles pose a threat in certain regions and require diligent monitoring and control. Lily mosaic virus is another concern, and since there is no cure, preventing aphid transmission by promptly controlling these vectors is the best proactive defense. Furthermore, ensure good soil drainage, as wet conditions frequently lead to bulb rot, particularly in poorly established plants. Staking may become necessary if the plants are situated in too much shade, which weakens the stems, or if they are exposed to high winds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Oriental lily suitable for?
The Oriental lily, Lilium ‘Miss Lucy’, is hardy and thrives in USDA growing zones 5 through 8.
How large does Lilium ‘Miss Lucy’ grow?
This variety typically matures to a height between 3 and 4 feet, with a modest spread ranging from 0.75 to 1 foot wide.
When does Lilium ‘Miss Lucy’ bloom?
You can expect Lilium ‘Miss Lucy’ to display its stunning white double blooms between July and August.
What sun exposure does Lilium ‘Miss Lucy’ need?
This plant performs best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade, provided the roots remain cool.
Conclusion
Lilium ‘Miss Lucy’ offers undeniable garden value through its richly fragrant, pollen-free double blooms, making it a standout Oriental lily selection. Its relatively low maintenance profile ensures beauty without demanding excessive fuss, provided you meet its needs for well-drained soil and adequate moisture. Plan your planting timing carefully, planting bulbs in fall or early spring, to secure magnificent summer displays.
Companion Planting
Choosing companions carefully can enhance the display and cultural health of your Lilium ‘Miss Lucy’. Since lilies prefer “cool feet,” plant lower-growing perennials around the base to shade the soil surface while allowing the lily flowers to bask in the sun. Good companions include low-growing hostas, various hardy Geraniums, or creeping phlox, which create a dense layer that conserves moisture and deflects harsh summer sun from the bulb area. Avoid vigorous spreaders that might compete too aggressively for nutrients or choke out the lily stems as they emerge.
Design Ideas for Fragrance
To maximize the fragrant qualities of this Oriental lily, strategically place groupings near areas where airflow is gentle but exposure to sitting areas is direct, such as flanking a walkway or bordering a small patio. Because the flowers are white and double, they provide excellent contrast against deep purple foliage plants like dark-leaved Heuchera or rich green ferns that thrive in the partial shade area favored by the roots. Grouping three plants provides enough visual mass to carry the heavy, sweet fragrance effectively across a small space during peak bloom in midsummer.
