Tall Lilies?

Question

I live in Wisconsin and I was wondering what those tall orange lilies were that grow along the side of the road and in meadows- does anyone sell them? I have also decided to plant some things this fall for the spring; lilies, cornflowers, and black eyed susans, any tips? I have never planted these before (I'm a new gardener), I have planted tulips and chrysanthemums with sucess, though. The soil is very rocky (small rocks) and dry; some parts get full sun and others get shade/sun.

Answer 1

Orange Day Lily

Hemerocallis fulva

Lily family (Liliaceae)

I think this is it.  I have them in my yard, too.  They just seem to spread on their own. Very hardy.  

Head for your closest garden center for good perennials for Wisconsin.  Gallardia works for this climate. Clematis comes back every year.  Peonies are welcome every spring.  Hostas for shade.

Go on Craigslist for your area.  There may be someone who wants to divide their plants.  Or you can put a request in the wanted section.  I have traded plants that way for a few years.

Try to enrich your soil by adding compost.  Use mulch to conserve water.  

  Good luck and have fun.

Answer 2

The tall orange lilies roadside aremost likely 'Daylilies'.  They are so called because each individual flower on the scape lasts for one day.  Tiger lilies may be orange also, but true tiger lilies are from the genus Lilium, and so they grow differently.  Liliums grow many flowers and leaves attached directly to their main stalk, on single stems from the bulb.  Think Easter Lily and you get the picture.

Day lilies form large clumps of foliage, from which rises a scape, or flower stem, bearing a cluster of flowers.  The Latin name for them is Hemerocallis.  The naturalized 'wild' ones are rarely available in the nursery trade but there are hundreds, thousands, of varieties that are.

Common day-lilies come in shades of orange, red, pink, gold, yellow, near-white, or purple.  Some have interesting markings, two colors on one flower, or eyes of different colors.

Hybrid daylilies can also have double the number of chromosomes in their DNA.  These are known as tetraploids.  Tetraploids usually have sturdier stems and  bigger flowers with thicker substance; tend to be more clumping and less running, and have better foliage.  Sometimes the fragrance has been sacrificed for flower and form in the hybrids.  Yellow and gold varieties seem to be the most fragrant.  However, diploids with the usual number of chromosomes are still very popular especially if you want them to fill in a mass planting.

Daylilies are widely available at reputable garden centers and nurseries.  Buy them in bloom to know exactly what you are getting.

Check out the American Hemerocallis society at:

http://www.daylilies.org/

Answer 3

If they are the same lillies that we have here in TN, the common name is Tiger Lilly.  Check out the websites for Burpee and Jung - both have all kinds of seed