Bulbs

• Garden Lilies

  Garden Lilies are one of the most loved perennial flowers. They seem to have it all; bold and bright colors, large & numerous blooms and fragrance. Lilies offer an assortment of colors, heights and bloom times; making them a must have in your garden. Lilies have long and sturdy stems which make them perfect for long lasting cut flowers. Garden lilies prefer full sun to partial shade, average to well-drained soils, and will provide flowers from June through September, depending on the variety. They're great for massing, borders, specimen, or even in containers.
  
  There are two main types of lilies to choose from:
  
  Asiatic: varieties are very hardy and are noted for their ease in growing. They usually bloom in June and July. They come in an incredible range of bright colors including whites, pinks, reds, orange, yellow, pastels, and bicolor. They range in growth anywhere from 1 to 4 feet.
  
  Oriental: varieties are the later bloomers, usually later July and August. Their star shaped flowers are superb for cutting. While there are many selections to chose, they come in a smaller array of colors, mostly in shades of white, pink or red, and an occasional spotted. One of the most famous oriental lilies is "Stargazer". The Oriental lilies are taller and grow in height from 2 to 6 feet.
  
  Planting
  

  
  
  • Lily Bulbs should be planted in early spring; or in late fall in a very well drained soil. Lilies do not tolerate clay soil or soil that allows the roots to stand in water. Lilies require full sun although there are a few that will tolerate partial shade. Plant bulbs as soon as you can to prevent the bulb from drying out. Space them 8-12 inches apart and anywhere from 2-6 inches deep depending on the bulb size. The smaller the bulb the shorter in depth. Mass-plantings always make a more colorful statement, so we would recommend planting 3 or more in each spot.
  
  

  
  Care of
  

  
  
  • Once the lilies have started to grow, add bulb fertilizer to the soil.
  
  
  • Keep the soil moist during the growing season.
  
  
  • After the flowers have faded cut only that part of the stem off and leave the rest of the foliage to grow.
  
  

  
  Fall care
  

  
  
  • Let the foliage die back, turning yellow and eventually brown before cutting back for the winter. Bulbs need this time to absorb enough food and nutrients to make it through the winter months.
  
  
  • Cover with mulch until spring; removing mulch in the spring once soil is warm and chance of frost has passed.
  
  

  
  Suggestions for Success
  

  
  
  • Bulb Planter
  
  
  • Bone Meal or other bulb food
  
  

  Posted on March 4, 2006

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