Lily 'Salmon Star'

The ‘Salmon Star’ Lily (Lilium) unfurls salmon-pink flowers, dotted with small spots and warmed by an orange throat. This combination of hues adds a soft touch to a summer bed. Place the lily in the middle ground, with lower plants that will allow the corollas to be visible. A few white flowers or uniform green foliage allow the petal pattern to be appreciated without adding competing designs. You can also incorporate a touch of salmon elsewhere in the border to tie the composition together. A location visible from a path makes it easier to observe the buds and the gradual opening of the flowers.

Install this lily in sun or partial shade, in loose soil that drains well. Plant the bulb with its base down and its tip up, at the depth appropriate for its packaging. Prepare a planting site wide enough for the roots to find loosened soil around them. If the site is exposed to wind, provide support before the stems grow tall, to avoid damaging the bulb later. After planting, water to bring the soil into contact with the roots, then adjust watering based on the actual soil moisture.

After flowering, remove spent flowers but keep the leaves green. They allow the bulb to replenish its reserves before the plant rests. Wait for the foliage to yellow naturally before cutting the dry stems. In a container, pay particular attention to drying out and avoid letting water remain in the saucer. For your bouquets, keep enough foliage on the garden plant and use a stable vase. Lilies are ornamental plants that are not edible and are very toxic to cats: keep bulbs, plants, cut flowers, and vase water out of their reach.