Back in Fall 2004, I bought a bag of four oriental lily bulbs at Costco (oriental trumpet hybrid lilies from Practical Gardener, $8.99). I planted them in the front yard. In Spring 2005, they sent up four stalks, gradually grew to ~5 feet tall, each had 2 - 3 flower buds. When the flowers opened in summer (around 7/4), you could smell them from far away.

The next year (2006), there were six stalks, each had anywhere from 6 to 15 flower buds for a total of ~70 flowers. When the flowers opened, you could smell them even from the back yard.

This year it's even better. I got nine stalks (6 big ones, 3 small ones) and ~100 flowers.

1. The flowers are giantic, 4 - 6 inches in diameters.


2.


3.


4. They are good for cut flowers too.