1. All About Lily
2. Common types of Lily for home gardeners
3. Types of Lily
4. Best Time to Plant Lily
5. Where to Plant Lily
6. How to Care for Lily
7. Harvesting for Arrangement
8. What to do with Lily after the growing season
9. My experience growing Lily
10. Garden Talk Posts:

All About Lily

Lilies (genus Lilium) are herbaceous flowering plants native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. This diverse genus comprises 80 to 100 species and has been extensively hybridized. Lilies are prized as ornamental plants due to their large, often prominent flowers. They grow from bulbs and exhibit various forms: some have trumpet-shaped flowers, while others form turban shapes or open cups. Fragrant blooms occur in a wide range of colors. . Lilies have a rich cultural and literary presence worldwide

Common types of Lily for home gardeners

Asiatic Lilies (Division I):

• These lilies are known for their vibrant colors and compact growth.
• They bloom early in the season, usually from late spring to early summer.
• Favorite cultivars include:
  • Heartstrings: Vibrant orange blooms.
  • Netty’s Pride: Creamy white with maroon speckles.
  • Night Rider: Deep burgundy-purple.
  • Rosella’s Dream: Soft pink with darker pink edges.
  • Starlette: Bright yellow with dark spots.

Oriental Lilies (Division VII):

• These lilies are prized for their large, fragrant flowers.
• They bloom later in the summer, typically from mid to late summer.
• Favorite cultivars include:
  • Casablanca: Pure white, intensely fragrant.
  • Dizzy: Pink with white edges.
  • Garden Party: White with pink stripes.
  • Lotus Beauty: Pink with a hint of yellow.

• Lotus Wonder: Deep pink.
• Lovely Day: Soft pink.
• Magic Star: White with burgundy speckles.
• Playtime: Pink with yellow centers.
• Soft Music: Creamy white.
• Stargazer: Deep pink with white edges.

Types of Lily

The bloom time for lilies varies depending on the species and hybrid. Let’s explore when different types of lilies bloom:

Asiatic Lilies (Division I):

These lilies lead the pack, opening their pretty flowers in mid-to-late spring. The flowers often last well into summer, providing a delightful display. This bloom time also applies to double Asiatic lilies and Martagon lilies.

Oriental Lilies (Division VII):

Oriental lilies are the flamboyant rock stars of the lily clan. Their huge, fragrant flowers in white, pink, and scarlet open in mid-to-late summer. If you select a site protected from wind and afternoon sun, the blooms may last a few weeks or longer.

In summary, lilies bloom from spring to late summer, creating a beautiful and ever-changing display in your garden!

Best Time to Plant Lily

The best time to plant lily bulbs depends on the type of lily you want to grow. Here are some guidelines to help you choose the right planting time:

Fall Planting:

Asiatic lilies and other early-season bloomers should be planted in the fall, about a month before the first frost date. This allows the bulbs to establish roots before winter and results in bigger blooms.

Plant these bulbs in well-drained soil with the pointed side facing upward, about 4-6 inches deep.

Spring Planting

Trumpet lilies and Oriental hybrids, which bloom in mid-to-late summer, can be planted in the spring. Wait until the last frost occurs in spring and ensure the ground isn’t muddy or wet. Although they may not bloom the same year, they should definitely bloom the following summer once well established.

Container Planting:

If you have limited space or only a balcony or porch, consider growing lilies in containers. Use pots with drainage holes to prevent soggy soil and root rot. Lily bulbs can be planted in pots anytime. For a 12-inch pot, typically plant three bulbs or fewer.

Remember to buy the bulbs close to planting time, and if you can’t plant them immediately, store them in a dark, humid space that stays cold (but not freezing) until you can plant them. Happy gardening!

Where to Plant Lily

Lilies are delightful flowers that can add elegance and fragrance to your garden. Here are some tips on planting and caring for lilies:

• Sun Exposure: Lilies thrive in full sun or part shade. Ideally, they should receive 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily. However, be cautious not to let the bulb roots get too hot. To shade the bulbs, plant them deeply (around 6 to 9 inches into the soil). This also helps stabilize these tall-stemmed beauties.

• Soil: Choose a spot with well-draining soil. For Asiatic lilies, make sure the soil is not waterlogged. Oriental lilies prefer slightly acidic soil, while Asiatic lilies do well in neutral to alkaline soil.

• Planting Depth: When planting lily bulbs, dig a hole about three times as deep as the bulb is wide. Place the bulb in the hole with the pointy side up, ensuring that the top is about 4 to 5 inches below the soil surface. Gently backfill the soil, avoiding air pockets, and water the planted bulb thoroughly.

• Varieties: There are different types of lilies, including Asiatics and Orientals. Asiatic lilies are the earliest to bloom (usually in May or June), while Oriental lilies bloom in mid- to late summer. Choose the variety that suits your garden and enjoy their stunning blooms! Remember that Asiatics flower first, followed by Orienpets and then Oriental varieties

How to Care for Lily

Here are some essential care tips for growing healthy lilies:

• Watering: Lilies dislike being dry, so water them regularly. However, avoid soggy soils, as they can cause root rot. Use a drip irrigation system or water the roots slowly to promote strong stems and long-lasting blooms. During hot, dry summer months, deep watering once or twice a week is necessary, tapering off as temperatures drop and rainfall becomes more frequent.

• Fertilization: Start fertilizing your lilies at the beginning of the growing season and continue every few weeks until blooming finishes. Use a high-potassium liquid fertilizer to support healthy growth and vibrant blooms.
• Mulching: Mulch around the bulb roots to retain moisture and provide cool shade. The mulch should feel moist but not wet. This helps keep the roots cool and prevents soil temperature fluctuations. Avoid mulching up the plant’s stem to prevent stem rot

Harvesting for Arrangement

When it comes to cutting lilies for flower arrangements, timing is crucial. Here are some tips to make sure your lilies stay fresh and vibrant:

• Bud Stage: The best time to clip lilies is just before the buds actually open. At this stage, the buds are mature enough to cut but haven’t fully bloomed. Cutting them before full bloom increases their lifespan in a vase, allowing you to enjoy them longer.
• Early Morning or Late Evening: If you’re cutting lilies from your garden, aim to do so early in the morningbefore the sun and wind have a chance to dry the flowers. Alternatively, you can cut them late in the evening after they’ve rehydrated. On warm and humid days, like the one in the photos, it’s best to cut them as early as possible.

• Prepare the Stems: Use sharp secateurs to cut the stems just before the first set of leaves. This ensures a clean cut and helps the lilies absorb water effectively. Remove any leaves that will be below the water line in your arrangement.
• Remove Pollen: Gently pull off the anthers from each flower. Pollen can stain both flesh and fabric, so it’s essential to prevent it from getting on the petals. If you accidentally get pollen on your clothing, use tape to dab it off gently.

What to do with Lily after the growing season

• Deadhead: Once the lilies have finished flowering, deadhead them by removing the faded flowers. This prevents the plants from wasting energy on seed production and encourages new growth for the next season.
• Prune and Cut Back: Prune the lily stems back to about 6 inches (15 cm) above the soil line. This encourages new growth and more flowers in the future.

• Mulch: Apply a thin layer of compost around the lily plants each spring, followed by a 2-inch layer of mulch. Mulching helps retain moisture, provides cool shade, and protects the bulbs during winter¹.
• Fertilize: During the growing season, apply a high-potassium liquid fertilizer every two weeks from planting until six weeks after flowering. This supports healthy growth and prepares the bulbs for the next blooming cycle.

My experience growing Lily

Lily is my absolute favourite Summer flower in my garden, followed by Dahlia. Lily is so easy to plant, grow and care. It is very low maintenance, plant it and forget it and just wait for it to emerge and bloom. Aside from the attractive simplicity of Lily, another thing I love about it is that it is great as a cut flower for arrangement. It last long (about a week) and it smells so good, at least the. type that I have, I am not sure if this is the case for most Lily.

I can’t explain how much joy this flower brings me. It brightens up my living room and it always made me happy just by looking at it. I can’t get enough of how beautiful they are. If there is one thing that you should plant for Summer flower, have Lily in your list. This flower will not disappoint you. It never fails to make me smile when I look at it; it is truly worth growing, and I hardly did anything but plant it. No fertilizer is needed, and it comes back year after year. How great is that? Oh, not to mention, they do not take much space in the garden as they grow in a single stem and they grow upwards, not sideways.

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