Tree lilies, also known as Orienpet or OT lily bulbs, are some of the most stunning flowers you can add to your garden. Their gigantic, upward facing blooms on tall, strong stalks make a spectacular midsummer show. If you’re looking for tree lily bulbs for sale to create a focal point in your yard or border, you have several options. Read on for details on what makes tree lilies unique and where to find top-quality bulbs.
What Are Tree Lilies?
Tree lilies get their name from their sheer size and height. The flowers can grow over 6 feet tall on thick, woody-like stems. But despite the name, tree lilies are not woody trees. They are herbaceous perennials grown from bulbs.
Tree lilies belong to a group of hybrid lilies known as Orienpets or OTs. They were bred by crossing classic trumpet lilies and oriental lilies. This gives them the robust stalks, weather resistance, and gigantic blooms of trumpet lilies along with the vibrant colors and delicate recurved petals of orientals.
Tree lily flowers can grow up to 10 inches wide in colors like pink orange yellow, white, red, and bi-colors. They also possess the lovely fragrance typical of oriental lilies. The combination of traits makes them ideal statement plants for the garden.
Where to Buy Tree Lily Bulbs
Tree lilies are still somewhat rare and can be harder to find than other lily bulbs Here are some top sources for purchasing quality tree lily bulbs for sale
Online Specialty Bulb Retailers
Online retailers that specialize in flower bulbs are a great option for finding tree lily bulbs, Two reputable companies that offer tree lily bulbs for reasonable prices are
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Breck’s: A bulb supplier in business since 1818. They offer tree lily bulbs in many colors and sizes.
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Lily Pad Bulb Farm: A family-owned company focused on rare and unique lilies. They sell Orienpet bulbs at competitive prices.
The benefit of using specialty bulb sellers is you can shop for tree lily bulbs that are correctly sized and ready to bloom. Bulbs will be shipped at the optimal planting time.
Local Nurseries and Garden Centers
Another option is to shop at local nurseries and garden stores. Availability will depend on the business. Some benefits of shopping local are:
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Support small businesses in your community.
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Hand select bulbs and see sizes/quality.
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Avoid shipping costs.
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Get expert planting and care advice.
Call ahead to ask if tree lily bulbs are in stock. Many carry common oriental and Asiatic lilies, but not the hybrid tree lily.
Online Marketplaces
Websites like Amazon and eBay allow third party sellers to list bulbs. Prices may be more affordable, but it’s harder to vet seller reputations. Make sure to review:
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Look for sellers with plenty of positive ratings.
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Check bulb sizes and photos carefully.
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Ensure the seller guarantees live delivery.
Mail Order Nurseries
Reputable mail order nurseries like Gurney’s, Holland Bulb Farms, etc. may offer tree lilies in their catalogs or online. But again, availability is hit or miss depending on the season.
What to Look for When Buying Bulbs
To get the best results from your tree lily bulbs for sale, inspect bulbs carefully before purchase:
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Choose large, firm bulbs around 6-8 inches in diameter if possible. Small or soft bulbs may not bloom well or at all.
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Bulbs should feel heavy for their size and be free of mold, damage, or decay.
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Select bulbs packaged properly for storage like in mesh bags or vented plastic.
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Make sure bulbs are disease-free and certified if buying abroad.
Also pay attention to the bulb variety. Try new or rare Orienpet hybrids for unique flower colors and shapes.
Tree lily bulbs are generally sold in packs of 2, 3, 5 or 10 depending on the retailer. Buying in bulk can offer big savings.
When to Buy and Plant Tree Lily Bulbs
Most tree lily bulbs for sale are offered in the fall. This is the ideal planting time in most climates. Bulbs need time to establish roots before winter dormancy leads to spring growth and summer flowering.
If you buy bulbs in fall, aim to plant them about 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes. In warmer zones, you can plant over winter as long as soil temps are above 40 degrees F.
Staggered shipping ensures bulbs arrive when ready to plant. Online bulb retailers commonly ship fall bulbs from September through November.
You can also find tree lily bulbs for sale in spring. But unless you live in an extremely warm climate, spring planting won’t yield flowers the first year. It’s better to shop fall bulbs.
Bring Stunning Tree Lilies Home
With their huge colorful blooms and lovely scent, it’s easy to see why gardeners covet Orienpet tree lily bulbs. Follow the tips above to find a reliable seller offering the best selection. Then plant properly in the right season and enjoy a breath-taking tree lily display within a year or two.
COMPARING ASIATIC LILIES, TREE LILIES AND ORIENTAL LILIES/ SANAA’S GARDEN/
FAQ
When should I plant lily tree bulbs?
Do lily tree bulbs multiply?
Can you leave lily bulbs in the ground all year?
What zone are tree lilies in?
What is a lily tree?
Lily Trees, or Orienpet lilies, are tall, thick-stalked lilies bred from Oriental lilies for their colours and large, beautiful flowers. Despite their name, lily trees are not actually trees at all. Instead, they’re a unique hybrid of trumpet lilies and Oriental lilies —and they offer the best of both worlds.
What are tree-like lilies?
Established 1945. Over 75 years experience Tree-like lilies are giant Oriental Trumpet Lilies (also know as Orienpet or Tree Lilies). Tree-like lilies are a hybrid of the showy Trumpet Lily and hardy Oriental Lily. The result is a sweetly scented and stunning show of magnificent blooms which can produce up to twenty blooms per stem.
When do tree lilies bloom?
Tree lilies are grown from rhizomes, and are typically planted in the fall for mid-summer blooming. Buy your tree lily bulbs from Breck’s, and we’ll send them to you at just the right time to plant! Work your soil well before planting, and add compost if you need to improve your soil quality.
Can lilies be planted in containers?
Perfect for planting on flower beds or along walls or shrubs, or even in containers, expect lily bulbs to quickly become the highlight of your garden. Learn How to Plant Your Border Lily Bulbs before shopping for lilies for your next garden project. What are the different types of lilies?
How do I plant tree lilies?
To get started growing, select the right planting place, and plant at the right time. Tree lilies are grown from rhizomes, and are typically planted in the fall for mid-summer blooming. Buy your tree lily bulbs from Breck’s, and we’ll send them to you at just the right time to plant!
Are lilies good flowers?
The large, bell-shaped lily flowers feature wide petals and a strong fragrance, making Lilium ideal for cut flower bouquets and arrangements. Great for naturalizing, planting lily bulbs produces a stunning display, with colors ranging from vibrant yellow to deep blue.