But if you want something guaranteed then contact your local grower or nursery. Just make sure that you are dealing with reputable growers in the area. You could even look for a specialty grower, someone who specializes in lilies and lily bulbs. What about water lilies? There are different nurseries and online plant retailers that sell water lilies. Lily bulbs planted soonest grow and perform better. If not, store them where it is cool, but not frozen above 28 degrees Fahrenheit. (The garage or the refrigerator will make a fine storage. Keep the bulbs in the dark. Light will make them sprout.) Planting techniques As mentioned, well-drained areas work best for lilies. Blooms For its fragrance and the exuberance of its large blooms, the Oriental lily is the hands-down winner in a summer garden. Its sweetly-scented flamboyant blooms begin their show in mid to late summer. (This is the time the Asiatic hybrids are finishing their own bloom time.) The blossoms are in splashy shades of white, pink, and crimson. Common And Interesting Uses Of Lilies Lilies are among the most beautiful and elegant looking flowers, which makes them popular for different occasions, whether it is for alleviating a sad soul or for a joyous occasion like a wedding. Coming from the lilium family, there are about 100 species of lilies. Planting a wide variety of them will enhance your perennials and shrubs. Or, maybe you can start a new landscape garden. Bloom time extension One exciting way to extend the bloom time of your flowers is to plant a group of Asiatic lilies with a group of Oriental lilies. The surprise comes in with their different bloom time frames. There are actually small species of lilies that can be planted on pots. These don t need so much sunlight compared to other varieties and they can even withstand limited air supply. Getting started with indoor potted lilies To be able to keep indoor potted lilies alive and healthy, it is a must that the owner knows basic indoor gardening.