Asiatic lily (Lilium 'Renoir')
Lilium 'Renoir' is a superb Asiatic lily known for its showy pink flowers, blooming June-July in zones 4-8. Low maintenance and excellent for cutting.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Lilium ‘Renoir’, a highly desirable Division I hybrid, brings vibrant performance to the early summer garden. This Asiatic lily cultivar distinguishes itself with its bright, funnel-shaped pink flowers, providing strong color accents usually among the very first lilies to appear. Gardeners value this bulbous perennial for its relatively straightforward cultivation and impressive stature.
Asiatic lilies, including Lilium ‘Renoir’, are celebrated for being some of the easiest lilies to successfully grow, making them perfect for both novice and experienced gardeners. They thrive in well-drained soil and prefer a microclimate where their upper stems enjoy full sun while their roots remain cool and shaded. Consistent care ensures strong upright growth, providing excellent vertical interest in the perennial border.
The visual impact of Lilium ‘Renoir’ allows it to serve as a bold specimen plant or as a foundational element when grouped in masses. Its structure resists flopping when sited properly, and the flowers are superb for summer fresh-cut arrangements. Integrating this easily managed Asiatic lily ensures reliable, breathtaking color mid-season.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Liliaceae
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1.5-2.5 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: June to July
- Bloom Description: Pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting Lilium ‘Renoir’ bulbs is best accomplished in the fall, though some nurseries offer potted plants that can be set out anytime between spring and fall. Ensure the location offers easily grown conditions in average soil that is medium in moisture and, crucially, well-drained. Asiatic lilies prefer rich, organic soils. Position the bulbs deep, about 4 to 6 inches down, leaving about 12 inches between each plant if grouping them for the best visual effect.
Proper maintenance involves consistent care throughout the growing season. These lilies require good, even moisture year-round; never allow the soil beneath your Lilium ‘Renoir’ to completely dry out, but beware that overwatering in poor drainage will invite bulb rot. A helpful cultural tip is to mulch around the base to keep the root zone cool while ensuring the stems receive full sun. Taller plants may occasionally require staking, especially if grown in overly shaded spots where stems weaken.
Deadheading the faded flowers promptly encourages the plant to direct energy back into the bulb rather than seed production. However, resist the urge to cut the foliage back for winter cleanup prematurely. Wait until the leaves and stems of this Asiatic lily naturally turn yellow before cutting them down, allowing the foliage to fully photosynthesize and store energy for next year’s spectacular display.
Landscape Uses
Lilium ‘Renoir’ shines when utilized to provide height and brilliant color contrast during the mid-summer months in the perennial border. Because they perform best when planted in visually impactful groups of three or more, massing them near the middle or back of a border creates a stunning focal point. Their upright habit contrasts beautifully with lower, mounding perennials that keep the root zone shaded, fulfilling the ideal microclimate requirement.
Beyond borders, this showy flower is highly suitable for container gardening, though blooms might be slightly smaller than those grown in the ground. In pots, they offer flexible, portable color that can brighten decks or patios. Furthermore, the outstanding quality of the blooms makes Lilium ‘Renoir’ an excellent choice for cutting gardens, ensuring fresh bouquets of this striking pink Asiatic lily are available throughout their bloom window.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Good Cut
Noteworthy Characteristics
Lilium ‘Renoir’ is classified as a Division I Asiatic hybrid lily. Asiatic hybrids are recognized for blooming early in the summer and producing large flowers, often reaching 4-6 inches wide, in a broad spectrum of colors. Lilium ‘Renoir’ specifically features attractive pastel pink, funnel-shaped flowers set upon rigid stems clothed with narrow, dark green leaves, making it a high-impact addition to any garden scheme.
Tolerances
No quantitative tolerances were provided for this cultivar.
Potential Problems
Asiatic lilies are relatively straightforward, but monitoring for pests and disease is prudent. Lily leaf beetles pose a significant threat in some regions, requiring consistent manual inspection or chemical intervention to prevent defoliation. Culturally, bulb rot, commonly caused by overly wet or poorly drained soils, is a major risk; excellent drainage is non-negotiable for long-term survival of Lilium ‘Renoir’.
Another disease concern is lily mosaic virus, which is spread by aphids; prompt control of these vectors is necessary as there is no cure once the plant is infected. Additionally, while it is one of the easier lilies to grow, plants situated in too much shade might develop weak stems prone to wind damage, necessitating staking for better support come bloom time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Lilium ‘Renoir’ suitable for?
This reliable Asiatic lily is suitable for gardeners located in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8.
How large does Lilium ‘Renoir’ grow?
At maturity, Lilium ‘Renoir’ typically reaches a height between 1.5 and 2.5 feet, with a spread ranging from 1 to 1.5 feet.
What sun exposure does Asiatic lily need?
This plant performs best with full sun exposure, though it tolerates part shade, provided the upper plant remains sunny.
When does the Asiatic lily bloom?
Lilium ‘Renoir’ produces its standout pink flowers during the peak summer period, generally from June to July.
Conclusion
Lilium ‘Renoir’ offers gardeners an excellent combination of low maintenance requirements and high visual reward through its showy, early summer blooms. As one of the easiest Asiatic lilies to cultivate, this plant provides reliable annual color ideal for both borders and arrangements. Before planting, be sure to confirm your location falls within USDA Zones 4-8 and prepare rich, well-draining soil for your new Lilium ‘Renoir’ bulbs.
Companion Planting
Selecting appropriate companions is crucial for ensuring the long-term health and aesthetics of your Lilium ‘Renoir’. Since Asiatic lilies prefer their roots kept cool and shaded while their blooms face the sun, pair them with low-growing, dense groundcovers. Excellent choices include hostas, low-mounding ornamental grasses, or perennial geraniums, which will help shade the bulb zone and prevent the soil from overheating or drying out too quickly.
When positioning your Lilium ‘Renoir’, consider providing companions that mature at different times to ensure continuous garden interest. Following the mid-summer bloom of these Asiatic lilies, plants that flower later, such as asters or sedums, can step in to maintain color integrity in the border. Ensure companion plants do not compete aggressively for water or nutrients, as lilies prefer balanced access to resources.
Container Growing
Growing Lilium ‘Renoir’ in containers is a successful option, particularly for gardeners with small spaces or poor native soil conditions. When planting in pots, use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix, perhaps amending it with compost to increase organic matter. Because containerized plants dry out faster than those in the ground, monitor moisture levels carefully, ensuring the “medium” water needs are met consistently throughout the growing season to prevent stress.
For optimal results in pots, use containers large enough to accommodate the bulb’s depth (4-6 inches) and leave adequate space around the plants; remember that plants in containers may have slightly smaller flowers. Group pots together, perhaps near a seating area, to enjoy the visual density of this pink Asiatic lily display. Ensure pots have excellent drainage holes to prevent the bulb rot that plagues Lilium species in boggy conditions.
