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How to Grow Exotic Lily Double Vision

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Exotic Lily Double Vision

Lilium 'Double Vision'

flower

Double Vision is a stunning hybrid lily featuring large, fully double blooms with ruffled petals in deep pink and white bi-color patterns. The flowers are highly fragrant and bloom profusely on sturdy stems, making them excellent for cut flowers and garden displays. This exotic variety combines the dramatic appearance of double-petaled flowers with the classic elegance of oriental lilies.

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Example Exotic Lily Double Vision timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Exotic Lily Double Vision

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Exotic Lily Double Vision blooms

    Around Jul 16

    ≈ 90 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Exotic Lily Double Vision dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun to partial shade, minimum 6 hours of direct sun daily
💧
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply when the top inch of soil is dry. Avoid wetting foliage to reduce disease risk. Reduce watering in winter dormancy.
📏
Spacing: 12 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 90-120 days from planting to first bloom
🌱
Planting depth: Plant bulbs 6-8 inches deep; the tip of the bulb should be 6-8 inches below soil surface

Soil

Type: Well-draining sandy loam or amended garden soil
pH: 6.0-6.5
Amendments:
peat moss or compost perlite or coarse sand bone meal organic matter

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 3-8, with best performance in zones 4-7

3 3a 3b 4 4a 4b 5 5a 5b 6 6a 6b 7 7a 7b 8 8a 8b

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Growth Stages

1

Dormancy/Bulb Establishment

4-8 weeks

Bulb settles in soil over winter or early spring; minimal visible growth above ground

Ensure excellent drainage to prevent bulb rot. Protect with mulch in cold zones. Keep soil cool and relatively dry.

2

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Shoots emerge and develop into tall stems with narrow, lance-like green leaves arranged along the stem

Water regularly as growth accelerates. Provide support stakes if in windy locations. Remove any competing weeds. Begin monthly feeding with balanced fertilizer.

3

Bud Formation

2-3 weeks

Terminal buds appear at the stem tips; buds swell and develop color as they prepare to open

Maintain consistent moisture. Switch to a bloom-boosting fertilizer (higher in phosphorus). Ensure adequate sunlight for optimal coloration.

4

Flowering

3-4 weeks per stem

Large double blooms open sequentially from bottom to top, displaying deep pink and white petals with strong fragrance; flowers typically face upward

Remove lower leaves once buds form to improve air circulation. Deadhead spent flowers but leave stem intact. Stake if needed. Enjoy fragrance and cut flowers as desired. Continue moderate watering.

5

Post-Bloom & Senescence

6-8 weeks

Flowers fade and fall; foliage remains green and continues photosynthesis to rebuild the bulb for next season

Leave stems and foliage intact until they yellow and die back naturally. Continue watering and fertilizing to replenish bulb reserves. Do not cut back early. Gradually reduce water as foliage withers.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Daylilies Coreopsis Salvia Gaura Catmint Russian Sage Ornamental grasses Lavender Black-eyed Susan

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Garlic Onions Plants requiring constant wet conditions Dense shade-providing shrubs that compete for nutrients

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick adults and orange egg clusters on leaf undersides early in the season. Use neem oil or insecticidal soap. Introduce beneficial insects. Remove plant debris in fall.

  • Spray with strong water jet to dislodge. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage ladybugs and parasitic wasps. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer.

  • Mist foliage regularly to increase humidity. Use miticide if severe. Ensure adequate water during hot weather. Remove heavily infested leaves.

  • Ensure excellent air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Remove affected leaves and flowers promptly. Apply fungicide if necessary. Clean up fallen plant material.

  • Prevent with well-draining soil and proper spacing. Never allow bulbs to sit in water. Remove and destroy affected plants. Avoid replanting lilies in same spot for 2-3 years.

Uses

🍳

Edible Lily Bulbs

Culinary

In Asian cuisines, lily bulbs are prized as a vegetable and are used in stir-fries, soups, and other dishes for their delicate, slightly sweet flavor. They are particularly valued in Chinese and Japanese cooking for both taste and medicinal properties. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Remedy

Medicinal

Lily bulbs have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat cough, insomnia, and anxiety. They are believed to have calming and anti-inflammatory properties. [source]

🏠

Cut Flower Arrangements

Household

Double Vision lilies are exceptional cut flowers with large, fragrant double blooms that last 1-2 weeks in fresh water. They are ideal for wedding bouquets, premium floral arrangements, and home décor. [source]

🎨

Fragrant Floral Design

Craft

The strong, sweet fragrance of Double Vision lilies makes them prized for perfumery, potpourri, and scented craft projects. The scent can fill an entire room and add luxury to floral installations. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

While double-flowered varieties produce little to no pollen or nectar due to stamen conversion to petals, they still attract visual interest to gardens. Single lily varieties nearby can support bees and other pollinators. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Cut stems for arrangements in the morning after dew dries. Cut when the lowest flower on the stem is just starting to open or fully open. Remove lower leaves that would be below the waterline. Change vase water every 2-3 days. Stems typically last 7-14 days in a vase. Remove stamens if pollen staining is a concern.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 The 'Double Vision' cultivar is a result of advanced hybrid lily breeding, combining the size and fragrance of Oriental lilies with the novelty of fully double flowers—a relatively recent achievement in ornamental horticulture.
  • 🌱 Lilies have symbolized purity, rebirth, and majesty across cultures for thousands of years. In Victorian times, lilies were associated with virtue and were often featured in religious art and ceremonies.
  • 🌱 Unlike the stamens in single lilies, the fully doubled petals in 'Double Vision' lilies develop from the transformation of reproductive parts into additional petals, making these flowers sterile and unable to produce seed—but creating the dramatic visual effect gardeners cherish.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Deadhead Full Sun Hybrid Mulch Partial Shade pH
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