Ask Buzz: I am looking for asiatic lilies (as flowering plants) to use as centerpieces in a large shopping mall. I would need them in the red & white colors only please. If anyone knows a vendor who could help me with this I would be forever grateful ~ Lilia F

Buzz, The Wholesale Expert: Lilia, finding cut asiatic lilies to use in your mall shouldn’t be a problem at all. However, finding flowering lily plants this time of the year can be difficult. Early to mid summer is the “off season” for lily planting. You may also wish to check with flower wholesalers in the late summer (July-August) as this is the time that most begin to plant their lilies again. The availability will increase dramatically before Easter and from July through the end of the summer. It usually takes around 65 days to force asiatic lilies, so buying lily bulbs wouldn’t be helpful either if you’re on a short time schedule.

If you are set on red and white asiatic lilies, I suggest buying fresh cut asiatic lilies from flower wholesalers. There are some that offer as many as 60-80 in one box. The life span is far shorter (vase time 7-10 days) but the availability is better.

Here are some wholesale fresh flower growers/importers who provide fresh cut lilies in many varieties.

Red Mountain Wholesale, flower wholesaler in Provo, UT

El Paso Floral Distributors, fresh flower provider in El Paso, TX