I planted 3 Stargazers and 3 Casablancas 2 years ago and only had 3 come up last year. This year, they are all up. I also planted a couple of other type of Orientals last summer and have found no sign of them yet. They may still come. However, I have always planted my Orientals in a south facing bed. Us hardcore oriental lily lovers know that we can get them to survive a zone 3 winter, but many will tell you that they are not hardy here.

The lily lecturer (a true Martagon lover) that came to my MG course told us that Orientals would never survive a zone 3 winter and could only be grown in pots, overwintering indoors. He came close to calling me a fibber when I told him about nearly 3 dozen blooms that I had on my dining room table a few years ago. That being said, I still would be quite hesitant about having them in shade or a north or east exposure.

Shauna

Give them a few more weeks, I bet the rest will pop up.

I have them growing in full sun and planted 8" deep, I also cover them with 6" of straw come freeze-up time. Pull back the mulch around May and cover up if a hard freeze is forecasted.

They can be grown in zone 2.

Sharon

Miriam, I've had good luck and bad luck with orientals. I think it's due to the warming climate that the last couple of winters, I've had luck with orientals 'Expressions' and 'Casablanca' coming back well. I've also had a few orientals a few years back, and they did grow the next year, but were weak and spindly and never did bloom, and then the next year didn't show up at all. Now, with that being said, some research that I've found on the net, that I'm really starting to take to heart, is that the oriental bulbs will survive our winters fine, but it is the length of the fall that we have in a particular year that depends if the bulb will do well the following year. Because orientals bloom so much later, towards the middle and end of August, an early fall freeze can kill off the tops too early for the bulb to store the required amount of energy it needs to come up and flower well the next season. So I think that orientals will do better if you have a protected spot that doesn't freeze as early as the rest of your yard, therefore they will have a little bit more time to mature before frost.

So, yes, do give them a couple more weeks, you may be pleasantly surprised, and if you have a sunnier, warmer location, you may consider moving them there.

Hope this helps,
Laurie

Several years ago I planted a couple of Stargazers close to the house on a west facing bed. They bloomed awesome the first year. Last year they came up with spindly stems. They did bloom, but only had one or two blooms each. They are up this year as well, and the stalks look much thicker. I do not see any increase of babies on these.
I also planted Mona Lisa and Dizzy last year in the same bed. They both are up and Dizzy has multiplied well.
I planted what I thought was an Asiatic lily last year in my lily bed which is shaded by late afternoon. This lily turned out to be an Oriental.(Probably Sorbonne) This one is up and has produced lots of babies. Although the stalks seem to be a little smaller.
I do not cover in the winter like Sharon does.
So possibly some need time to settle. It also looks like some are a bit more aggressive in multiplying.
I'm trying some OT and OA crosses this year. They have been planted in a protective sunny location. Time will tell how they fair.
Shelley

For sure, Laurie has a good point, cover with a box or a big bed sheet if an early frost is forecasted in the fall too, this will extend bulb maturity. WeÂve had some awesome Fall seasons in the past few years that I havenÂt had to cover up.

Orientals and Trumpets naturally multiply more slowly than those like Asiatic hybrids.

Another good tip is to plant your Orientals in the spring, rather than fall time, this will give them a whole growing season to grow strong roots before winter sets in.

Sharon

I've pretty good luck with Orientals so far, and i think most of mine are up now. I'd have to have a good look at the lily bed to make sure, though. :)

Like Sharon, i mulch them quite heavily. And it's good to hear what Laurie's research has turned up - i'll have to remember to cover them if a frost threatens early in the fall.

I have had several kinds of oriental lilies for years in my garden....they survived fine...but don't multiply fast.

........This year the lilies got attacked with mice over the winter....and I'm not sure how many will be growing and flowering...its a matter of wait and see now.

Sierra

Thanks for the tips and advice everyone! I'm glad to hear that there is hope yet.

Now, hopefully, with these needed rain showers, all the bulbs will get growing!