Lilies Are My Favorite Flower, But I Am Sensitive To…
Patsy Asked
Lilies are my favorite flower, but I am sensitive to their fragarance indoors. Is there anything I can do to lighten the odor of the flowers when they are put in a vase?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hi, Patsy: It is always nice to have fresh cut flowers inside. Lilies are one of the most popular cut flowers. Oriental lilies such as ‘Stargazer’ are very beautiful but they certainly have a distinct smell and one that can be overpowering in certain situations. They smell how they smell and there is no changing that, but fortunately for those who are more sensitive to their scent there many others to choose from and some are not so fragrant. The Oriental hybrids are the ones that are extremely floral. Asiatic hybrids are equally as beautiful in my opinion and are not so overwhelming. They are early summer bloomers as opposed to the Orientals, which are midsummer to early fall bloomers, but are available in an array of colors. Maybe it is best to enjoy the Oriental lilies outdoors and use the Asiatic lilies for your cut flowers. You should be able to find these at your local garden center. I hope planting a variety of other lily bulbs will allow you to enjoy them both indoors and out throughout the growing season.
