Some of my lilies are also 5' and taller and I have those same supports. They're called "plant props" and are mostly found in 36" and 24" lengths. Luster Leaf makes a 48" length but I haven't been able to find retailers online. (http://www.lusterleaf.com/plant_supports/983.html)

I love these props but I've found that a too short prop is worse than none at all. Instead of the lily bending over to the ground (giving you a chance to save it) if there is too much free stem above the top of the prop the stem sometimes break where the prop ends.

So, in the "if you've got lemons make lemonade" category, I've found a use for the FOREST of invasive bamboo growing on the slope behind my house. This stuff is hell on our native plant life but makes great garden stakes! Bamboo gets quite tall (think "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon") so you can get any length you want. And it's woody circular hollow cross-section makes it rigid but lightweight. Its smooth surface in easy on the hands while the joints at each "section" of bamboo stalk keep your tie from sliding down. Just tie a tight loop (without plant!) to the Bamboo stake and then a nice loose loop (~ 4") around your lily stem. It works great!

Too bad you don't live closer to Baltimore. I'd invite you over - our local parks department would love to have more volunteers for their "Weed Warrior" program. :)

-Helen

FYI: Cut Bamboo with a small saw. Clipping with pruning shears makes the ends split , which are then harder to push into the ground.

Helen,

That was a great reply--very informative. Thank you very much. Unfortunately (or fortunately, as the case may be), I don't have any bamboo growing close by. However, I can probably purchase some cut canes at Home Depot. Do you find your lilies need less staking as they mature? I'm just beginning with lilies and don't have many. The ones I do have all seem to behave differently. Granted, some are orientals, some asiatics, etc. I had some this year (I believe they were trumpet lilies) that got as tall as the eaves on the house and had a stalk at least 1" thick. I had to stake them last year, but not this year. I just ordered some orienpets which I assume will need to be staked.

Hi Pauline,

Mature plants have thicker stems - but they are also taller and have more blooms. So, its "six-of-one half-a-dozen of another".

What affects it more are growing conditions for a particular season or spot in the garden. Last year when we had rain every day of May all of my plants got "leggy". Commercial nurseries set greenhouse conditions to promote short thick stem habit so their plants survive shipping and retailing. Potted Stargazers I bought this year are only 2 - 2.5' high (with about 4 buds per stem). My 4 year old Stargazers are about 4' high with 9 or more buds per stem.

Since I can't stand the thought of losing ANY of my lily blooms. I stake almost all of my lilies - some earlier, others when they get close to blooming. I wait on my orientals because they have pretty thick stems and are planted in sunnier locations. But, they have so many very large blooms that they are just too much for the plant to support (particularly if a late summer thunderstorm comes by). My trumpet lilies have thinner stems and are also tall and are planted where they lean to get the morning or afternoon sun - so they get staked earlier. So Orienpets? Yeah, probably. But Longiflorum - Oriental hybrids maybe not. The Elegant Lady I planted this spring only grows 18"-24" and where pretty sturdy. I staked them - even though I don't think they needed it. Those plant props are so convenient there was no reason not too.

-Helen

P.S. If you ask around, (neighbors, local parks department, or native plant society) you'll probably find that there's some bamboo taking over somewhere. A lot of people love it and aren't careful to buy non-invasive species.

Thanks, Helen. Sure wish we lived closer together.