OREGON BULB FARMS, SANDY, OREGON 
Liles 
ili 
After several years of large scale growing and trials, we have built up strains and groups 
of garden lilies from only a few bulbs to our present plantings, the largest commercial 
fields of garden lilies in America. This list comprises types and varieties which have 
proven not only vigorous, resistant to disease and of easy culture, but also several lilies 
which are most desirable but were unsuccessful in early trials, either because the stocks 
were weakened with disease or undependable in habit. Many of this latter group have 
been built up to healthy vigorous stocks through constant selection of vigorous seedlings, 
which in turn have served as parent plants for our present strains. In addition to the 
better known standard varieties and species we have small stocks of totally new types 
which are the result of our extensive hybridizing program. Although the results to date 
are most promising, we believe that the development of the new lilies is in its infancy 
... roughly comparable to the stage of daffodil development 50 to 60 years ago. Crosses 
between widely divergent types have yielded magnificent flowers in countless variations. 
Most important of all, these new hybrids, almost without exception, are possessed of a 
vigor and hardiness vastly superior to any of the parent types. These stocks are increas- 
ing rapidly and will soon be available. 
~| 
Wo 


In many instances a cross has yielded such a high percentage of superior types that 
we have chosen to introduce the entire group as a strain of hybrids rather than a few 
plants as separate named individuals. While the individuals vary slightly within the 
strain, they are similar in type, form, habit and time of flowering. 
The color variations are harmonious and distinct within each group. This particular 
method of introducing new types has important advantages to our customers, in that 
it permits us to get the new strains on the market more quickly and at a more reasonable 
price. In addition, by careful selection among the best forms in every generation, the 
quality and vigor of the entire group is improved from year to year. Outstanding indi- 
viduals will, of course, be propagated and introduced as named varieties, but the uniform 
high quality among the seedlings has convinced us of the advantages of introducing 
strains or groups of closely related lilies. These groups are not to be confused with horti- 
cultural mixtures which are artificial or mechanical mixtures of standard types and 
species without regard to the natural relation of the individuals. 
CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS 
Due to the hundreds of varieties and species of lilies, it is well nigh impossible to give 
general cultural directions applicable to all types. Requirements of lilies as a group 
are much the same as those of daffodils and other bulbs: namely, well drained soil, teed- 
ing by means of composts or chemical fertilizers in preference to manures; protection 
of less hardy types with mulches and protection of all types of lihes from alternate 
freezing and thawing. Depth of planting as recommended by garden experts is usually 
deeper than necessary, especially in clay, clay-loam and adobe soils. Types with rela- 
tively small bulbs (3 to 5 inches) which do not make heavy stem roots are perfectly 
happy at a depth of 4 inches. L. Tennifolium and its varieties, L. Concolor, L. Cernum 
and L. Amabile are typical of this group. Deeper planting to keep the bulb cool is 
unnecessary. Surface mulches or light shade are much more effective. As would be 
expected, varieties which are heavy stem rooters must be planted deeply enough to permit 
maximum development of the stem roots, but that does not require a depth of from 8 
to 12 inches. It will be found that the roots seldom are formed any lower on the stem 
