Oriental lily Lilium 'Blizzard' (PBR) (Ia/b)
ABOUT
The Lilium 'Blizzard' is a stunning variety of lily known for its eye-catching appearance. This plant boasts large, upward-facing flowers that exude elegance and beauty. The petals are a pristine white, resembling a fresh, winter snowfall, which is likely the inspiration behind its name, 'Blizzard.' Each petal often displays a subtle hint of another color, providing a striking contrast against the crisp white background. The flowers are arranged in clusters at the top of the sturdy stems, with multiple blooms per stem, creating a full, lush display. These blooms are known to have a delightful fragrance that can permeate the air around them, adding an additional sensory experience to their visual appeal. The leaves of the Lilium 'Blizzard' are lance-shaped, glossy, and dark green, providing a rich backdrop that further accentuates the brilliance of the white flowers. They are arranged neatly along the length of the stems, which adds to the overall elegant structure of the plant. The Lilium 'Blizzard' has a regal presence in any garden setting, drawing attention with its striking blooms. It is often planted in groups or as a focal point, where its spectacular flowers can be fully appreciated without the distraction of surrounding vegetation. This plant embodies purity and grace, ensuring it stands out in any floral arrangement or landscape.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Oriental Trumpet Lily, OT Hybrid Lily, Tree Lily
Common names
Lilium 'Blizzard' (PBR) (Ia/b).
ToxicityTo humans
The plant in question is commonly known as the Lily. Lilies are not highly toxic to humans, but they can cause minor symptoms if ingested, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Contact with the pollen can sometimes cause allergic reactions, which might manifest as skin irritation or an itchy throat. The main concern with lilies often relates to their toxicity to pets rather than humans.
To pets
The plant in question is commonly known as the Lily, and it is extremely toxic to cats. Ingesting any part of the lily plant can lead to acute kidney failure in cats. Symptoms of lily poisoning may include vomiting, lethargy, lack of appetite, dehydration, and increased or decreased urination. Without prompt veterinary treatment, ingestion can lead to serious health complications and could be fatal. Dogs are less affected by lilies but may experience mild stomach upset if they consume parts of the plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
3 feet (91 cm)
Spread
1 foot (30 cm)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds a striking visual element to gardens and landscapes with its pure white flowers and lush green foliage.
- Attracts Pollinators: Appeals to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, supporting local ecosystems.
- Versatility: Suitable for a variety of garden settings, including borders, pots, and as a cut flower for indoor arrangements.
- Seasonal Interest: Blooms in the summer, providing seasonal color when many other plants may not be flowering.
- Easy Propagation: Can be easily propagated through division or bulbs, allowing gardeners to expand their collection or share with others.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it ideal for busy or novice gardeners.
- Cold Hardy: Tolerates colder temperatures well, making it a good choice for cooler climates.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Floral Art and Design: The blizzard lily can be used to provide an interesting visual contrast in floral art, enhancing the composition with its pure white petals.
- Scented Sachets: Dried blizzard lily petals can be included in scented sachets to impart a delicate fragrance to linens and clothing stored in drawers and closets.
- Photography Subjects: These lilies, with their striking appearance, serve as excellent subjects for botanical photographers and artists looking to capture the essence of a garden in bloom.
- Educational Use: Schools and universities may cultivate blizzard lilies as a means to teach students about plant biology and hybridization techniques.
- Culinary Garnish: Although not traditionally eaten, the petals of blizzard lilies can be used as ornamental garnishes for high-end culinary presentations.
- Wedding Decorations: Due to their association with purity and beauty, blizzard lilies are often used in wedding bouquets and venue decorations.
- Perfume Inspiration: The fragrance of the blizzard lily can inspire the creation of botanical perfumes, capturing the scent of a wintery floral landscape.
- Color Inspiration: Artists and designers may use the pristine white color of blizzard lily blooms as inspiration for creating various art pieces and designs.
- Bioindicators: These lilies can potentially be used as bioindicators to monitor the health of an ecosystem or the impact of environmental changes.
- Botanical Ice Cubes: Petals of the blizzard lily can be frozen into ice cubes to create visually stunning elements for use in upscale beverages and cocktails.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Lily is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Lily is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Purity: The 'Blizzard' lily, with its white petals, often represents purity and virtue, symbolizing a state of innocence and cleanliness.
- Commitment: As a perennial plant, lilies can symbolize lasting relationships and devotion, reflecting a long-term commitment.
- Renewal: The lily's habit of dying back and then coming back to life in the spring is emblematic of rebirth and new beginnings.
- Transitions: The life cycle of lilies, from bulb to flower, can symbolize the journey of the soul, representing major life transitions.
- Motherhood: In some cultures, lilies are associated with motherhood and fertility because of their full, rounded blooms.
WaterThe Oriental Lily, commonly known as Lilium 'Blizzard', should be watered thoroughly, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. During the growing season, it typically requires water once a week, but this can vary depending on climate conditions and soil type. When you water, use approximately 1 gallon per plant to ensure deep soil saturation. Increased frequency of watering may be needed during hot, dry spells, but avoid overwatering as this can lead to bulb rot.
LightOriental Lilies, like the Lilium 'Blizzard', thrive in a spot with full sun to partial shade. They need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to bloom successfully. Choosing a location that gets morning sun and afternoon shade can help protect the blooms from the intense heat of the afternoon sun
TemperatureThe Oriental Lily prefers temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and slightly cooler at night. It can survive temperature dips down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but sustained cold below this can damage the plant. The maximum temperature for a thriving Lilium 'Blizzard' should not exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
PruningPruning the Oriental Lily is essential for aesthetic reasons and to prevent disease by removing dead or diseased tissue. Prune right after blooms fade, removing flower stalks but leaving the foliage to continue feeding the bulb for next season. Cut back to ground level in late fall once leaves have yellowed and died back.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for 'Blizzard' Lily, a variety of Oriental Lily, should be well-draining, rich in organic matter, with a pH of around 5.5 to 6.5. A mix consisting of two parts loam, one part peat moss, and one part perlite or sand would provide adequate drainage and nutrient retention.
Repotting'Blizzard' Lilies, as with most Oriental Lilies, should be repotted every 2 to 3 years, or when the bulb outgrows its current container, to refresh the soil and provide space for growth.
Humidity & Misting'Blizzard' Lilies prefer moderate humidity levels, ideally between 40-60%. They can tolerate some variation, but the air should not be too dry as they originate from more temperate climates.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place 'Blizzard' Lily in bright, indirect light indoors.
Outdoor
Plant 'Blizzard' Lily in part sun, shelter from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleThe Oriental Lily 'Blizzard' begins its cycle in early spring as its bulbs break dormancy and send up shoots. These shoots rapidly grow into stems with lance-shaped leaves, preparing the plant for its flowering stage. In mid-to-late summer, the plant blooms, producing large, fragrant, white flowers with a heavy spread of freckles in the throat, a characteristic feature of this cultivar. After pollination, which can be done by insects such as bees, the flowers will wilt and seed pods may form if fertilization has occurred. As autumn approaches, the above-ground part of the plant withers and dies back, signaling its entrance into a period of dormancy during the winter months. Throughout the dorment period, the bulbs remain underground, storing energy to restart the life cycle in the following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Lilium 'Blizzard', commonly known as the Blizzard Lily, is typically propagated through bulb scaling, which is the most popular method for multiplying these plants. This process involves carefully removing several scales from a mature bulb and planting them in a moist, sterile growing medium. To do this, the bulb is first taken out of the soil and gently cleaned. Then, the scales are gently snapped off from the basal plate, where they meet at the bottom of the bulb. These scales are then placed in a bag with moist vermiculite or peat moss and stored in a warm place, around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius), until tiny bulblets begin to form at the base of the scales, which usually takes several months. Once these bulblets have developed sufficiently, normally when they are about the size of a marble, they can be planted out into pots or directly into the garden soil.
