Question
I have ordered some new catalogs of lilies hoping to buy some to plant in our new garden this year. First, I see we can't plant them until the fall because they won't send the order until then. Why is that? In addition, I am a little overwhelmed by the number of choices and I was hoping you could narrow that down to a few you can recommend for a beginner. I know a little about gardening.  I do not know anything about lilies.  The Oriental Lilies section and the Orientpets look interesting but this is a huge selection and they are not cheap.

Answer
Patience, patience, patience please...

Lilies can't stay dormant year round--they are really quite delicate and must be handled gently and carefully.  And during the summer, which is now, they must be growing somewhere outside or in a pot or bag (and no longer in very good health) at your local garden center.  There is a good reason for them not to be available.  In fact, if someone makes any Lilies available to you NOW, tell them to take a walk.  You don't want Lilies that old and battered.

Besides, your favorite Lilies will be much more available if you just wait.  Some are sent in the autumn.  Some are sent in the spring.  Make sure you are ready to plant them when they arrive.  The sooner you get them into the ground and start developing roots, the better for everyone.

Some Lilies have a short lifespan by reputation - and earned it.  But the key for you will be how well you prepare the soil.  The soil pH has a strong impact on survival rates for different lilies.  Ditto for drainage.  I urge you to review the American Meadows website (www.americanmeadows.com/Flower-Bulb-Info/PlantingWildLilies.cfm) and read to your heart's content about the lilies you will be buying come fall.

Van Engelen (www.vanengelen.com) has always been competitively priced and best of all sells huge orders of bulbs, not the half dozen or dozen we are always tempted to purchase for home.  I highly recommend them.