Lilies long have been cherished in gardens around the world and are often referred to as the “Belles of the Border.”

Oriental, trumpet and Asiatic lilies bloom in July and August and do quite well in cooler climates, where they are considered staples in the landscape, but you don’t see as many down South.

That might be changing.

A classification of lilies introduced in the last decade, called orienpets, are a hybrid cross of colorful Oriental lilies and trumpet lilies. They look like the beautiful bright Orientals but are more dependable and adapt more easily to the South’s heat and humidity.

Southern Living magazine introduced them to readers in July 2008.

Mid to late fall is the ideal time to plant lily bulbs in the South, though some retailers also carry them in spring. Months of mild winter weather allows the development of a healthy strong root system to support their tall stems loaded with blooms.

They thrive in a variety of soils but excellent drainage — such as on a slope or in a raised bed — is critical to prevent root rot, a big threat to success with any lilies.

Soil should be worked up 10 to 12 inches deep with organic matter added before planting, and each hole should be deep enough that the top of the bulb sits 4 to 5 inches below the surface when covered with soil.

Most are 3 to 5 feet in height, but after several years, they are subject to grow to 8 feet with 15 to 20 blooms per stem. Staking and planting in the backs of beds are recommended.

In fact, experts suggest placing a stake next to the bulb at the time of planting as the fleshy bulbs are easily damaged if disturbed when they start sending shoots up in spring. This also helps to identify exactly where each bulb is planted for adding fertilizer (one tablespoon per plant of 5-10-10 or rose food in spring when shoots emerge from the soil and again just before flowering).

Lilies generally prefer full sun, but again, it’s a bit different in the South. Aim for some afternoon sun.

These plants also need good air circulation to prevent fungus and aphid infestations. They also often are grown with low growing ferns and perennials such as Lenten rose planted around the base of their stems to shade the soil.

Lilies never are totally dormant and cannot tolerate drought. If the soil is too dry for a prolonged period, lilies simply will disappear from any garden.

Voles also enjoy eating lilies. So, if voles are a problem, lilies.org recommends placing gravel or expanded slate product (Espoma’s Soil Perfector) in the bottom of the planting hole and around and immediately on top of the bulb before soil is added. Voles don’t like clawing through gravel to get any type of bulb (this technique works with tulips and other bulbs as well).

White Flower Farm, one of the big catalog companies that markets all kinds of perennial plants including lilies, says orienpets combine the best features of both parents — fragrance, large flowers, intense colors and sturdy performance.

They bloom about two weeks earlier than the Orientals and right after the trumpets in most gardens.

Orienpets come in a variety of colors and color combinations: clear yellows such as Conca’d’Or’, Baruta and Belladonna; whites such as Saltarella and Silver Schaherazade; and beautiful bi-colors such as Flashpoint – red and cream; Mr. Job – deep red and white; Purple Lady – lavender and blue tint; Miss Libby – yellow petals with an inside splash of deep bronze; and Candy Club – pink and white. More are added each year.

The orienpets are more expensive than daffodil or tulip bulbs, running from $7 to $20 a bulb. They will multiply if they are happy where they are growing and look best when planted in groups of at least three.

Once planted, lilies are really easy-care plants. When cutting them to bring inside, always leave at least a third of the stalk standing in the garden. Like other bulbs, their yellowing foliage creates nutrients essential for the following year’s bloom. Allow stalks to totally dry out before removing from the garden.

The pollen on their stamens can pose a problem. It will stain tablecloths, the inside of the blossom, clothing or anything else touching it. Just carefully snip off and discard the orange stamens as each bloom opens. This should not affect how long a stem of lilies will last in a vase or bouquet inside.

Try planting orienpet lilies this fall and enjoy their color and fragrance next summer.

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Miriam Jabour, a Master Gardener and Master Flower Show judge, has been active in the Openwood Plantation Garden Club for more thabn 35 years. Write to her at 1114 Windy Lake Drive, Vicksburg, MS 39183.