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How to Grow Asiatic Hybrid Lily 'Connecticut King'

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Asiatic Hybrid Lily 'Connecticut King'

Lilium × asiatica 'Connecticut King'

flower

Connecticut King is a vibrant Asiatic hybrid lily featuring brilliant golden-yellow, upward-facing blooms on sturdy stems. This classic cultivar is one of the most popular cut flower lilies, prized for its reliable performance, long vase life, and striking color. It grows 3-4 feet tall and produces multiple blooms per stem.

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Example Asiatic Hybrid Lily 'Connecticut King' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Asiatic Hybrid Lily 'Connecticut King'

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Asiatic Hybrid Lily 'Connecticut King' blooms

    Around Jul 16

    ≈ 90 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Asiatic Hybrid Lily 'Connecticut King' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; afternoon shade beneficial in hot climates
💧
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply at the base, avoiding foliage. Reduce watering after blooming. Excellent drainage is critical to prevent bulb rot.
📏
Spacing: 8 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 90-120 days from planting to bloom (depends on chilling period and temperature)
🌱
Planting depth: Plant bulbs 8 inches deep (measured from base to top of bulb); space 8 inches apart

Soil

Type: Well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil with organic matter
pH: 6.0-6.8
Amendments:
Compost or aged manure Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Bonemeal or balanced fertilizer

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 3-8; performs best in cooler to moderate climates

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

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Growth Stages

1

Bulb dormancy/chilling

12-16 weeks (fall/winter)

Lily bulbs require 12-16 weeks of cold storage at 35-45°F to break dormancy and initiate flowering.

Store bulbs in cool, dry conditions over winter. Plant in fall or early spring after chilling period. Do not allow bulbs to dry out completely.

2

Emergence & vegetative growth

4-6 weeks

Shoots emerge in early spring, developing long, lance-shaped leaves along the stem. Plant grows rapidly, building a strong stem and root system.

Water regularly as growth begins. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Provide support stakes if needed in windy areas. Remove any diseased leaves.

3

Bud development

2-3 weeks

Flower buds form in clusters at the top of the stem. Buds are elongated and begin to swell, showing hints of yellow color.

Continue regular watering and fertilizing. Reduce nitrogen to encourage blooming rather than excessive foliage. Pinch off lower flower buds to direct energy to upper flowers if desired.

4

Flowering

2-4 weeks

Golden-yellow, upward-facing blooms open in succession, typically 4-6 flowers per stem. Each bloom is 4-6 inches across with 6 petals and prominent stamens.

Remove stamens before pollen matures to prevent staining and extend vase life if cutting. Keep removing spent blooms to encourage new flowers. Water at soil level only, never on petals.

5

Post-bloom & dormancy

6-8 weeks

Flowers fade and drop; foliage continues photosynthesizing. Plant begins to redirect energy back to the bulb for next season.

Do not remove foliage until it yellows and dies back naturally. Continue watering moderately. Apply low-nitrogen fertilizer. Reduce watering significantly as foliage dies back. Mark location to avoid damaging dormant bulbs.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Coreopsis Salvia Catmint (Nepeta) Russian sage (Perovskia) Daylilies Lavender Yarrow Sedum

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Beans Potatoes Competitive shallow-rooted plants

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick adult beetles and orange egg clusters on leaf undersides. Use spinosad or neem oil spray. Remove plant debris where overwintering occurs.

  • Spray with strong water stream, insecticidal soap, or neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.

  • Increase humidity, spray with water, use miticide or neem oil if severe. Remove heavily infested foliage.

  • Remove affected flowers, use sticky traps, apply insecticidal soap or spinosad. Prune lower foliage where thrips hide.

  • and

    Remove by hand at dusk, use copper barriers or tape around planters, apply slug bait, maintain clean garden beds.

Uses

🍳

Culinary flowers & tea

Culinary

While lilies are not commonly used in cuisine, some Asian cultures use lily bulbs in cooking, and lily petals can be candied or used as garnish in specialty cooking. Connecticut King petals can add visual appeal to salads. [source]

🏠

Cut flowers & arrangements

Household

Connecticut King is one of the finest cut flower lilies available, prized by florists for its long vase life, vibrant color, and multiple blooms per stem. Excellent for floral arrangements, wedding bouquets, and fresh cut flower displays. [source]

🎨

Dried flowers & pressing

Craft

Petals can be pressed between paper for crafts, botanical art, or bookmarks. The entire flower head dries well and can be used in dried arrangements. [source]

🦋

Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

Connecticut King attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with its bright color and nectar-rich stamens, supporting pollinator populations in the garden. [source]

💊

Traditional herbal use

Medicinal

In traditional Chinese and Asian medicine, lily bulbs (Lilium species) are used in herbal preparations believed to have calming and nourishing properties, though Connecticut King itself is grown ornamentally. [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 in morning when first or second flower begins to open, cutting at least one-third of the stem from base. Place in cool water with cut flower food immediately. Vase life is typically 7-14 days. For garden display, deadhead spent flowers but allow bulb to mature by leaving foliage until completely yellow.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Connecticut King was developed in the 1960s and remains one of the most popular Asiatic hybrid lilies for both home gardens and commercial cut flower production, with millions sold annually worldwide.
  • 🌱 Asiatic lilies are called 'Asiatic' because they are derived from lily species native to Asia (particularly China, Japan, and Korea), whereas Oriental lilies have even larger, fragrant flowers from Asian species.
  • 🌱 Lilies have been cultivated for over 3,000 years, with ancient Egyptian artwork depicting lilies, and they hold significant cultural meaning in many Asian traditions as symbols of purity, rebirth, and good fortune.

Gardening Terms

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

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Hybrid pH
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