Lilies usually add the dimension of height to the garden, and I count on them not only for height, but for the force of their upright growth, combined with openness. A stand of multiple lilies will have stalks with small leaves so they add an open weave without the view being obstructed. I like to have lilium rising through trailing or ground covering perennials growing at their feet. When lilium are finished blooming vines can be swirling around and up the stalks that remain until early frost, or the stalks can provide an open screen behind an ornamental container moved into position at their feet for early fall.
New to my garden this year is Lilium formosanum. Originally discovered on the island of Formosa which is now known as Taiwan it has the surprisingly hardiness rating of Zone six. The purple brown stems are somewhat delicate in appearance, but sturdy even when in bloom. Height is about three feet carrying dark green narrow leaves which are arranged alternately up the stem. Each leaf will heavily veined on the underside. Buds are wine-red and green. Blooms are long narrow trumpets with a wide flaring mouth and blooms are large in relation to the size of the plant. The flowers are glistening white like fine bone china and very fragrant.
I have mine next to the stone base of a limestone carving where I think it the foliage shows up like calligraphy, and provides an additional touch of warmth in the winter. Coming up between broad leaved perennials, or placed with companions such as the Japanese Shade grass (Hakonechloa macra) which is similar in appearance to bamboo which Lilium formosanum as growing companions in their native habitat.
If I could grow only one native Lilium, canadense would be my favorite. The Meadow Lily can reach a height of four to seven feet, but in my garden has not exceeded the four feet. My soil is somewhat heavy amended clay, but well drained and with a pH that is just slightly acidic. Lilium canadense leaves are arranged in whorls around the stems. Individual blooms,of which there can be twenty or more to each stem, will be in open arrangements at the top of each stem. Each bloom will hold its face down with the stamens prominently displayed. Since the blooms nod the flared segments will show both interior and exterior color. The form I have blooms in orange-red on the reverse and yellow with brown freckles on the inside.
Mine is located on a hillside above a path where steps lead downward so that I can stand and look up into the blooms. The background is large limestone rocks, grasses and mixed shade perennials.