{"id":2135,"date":"2019-03-23T16:00:13","date_gmt":"2019-03-23T16:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/?p=2135"},"modified":"2020-01-22T08:45:21","modified_gmt":"2020-01-22T08:45:21","slug":"15-gardening-advice-for-lily-flower","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/15-gardening-advice-for-lily-flower\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Gardening Advice for Lily Flower"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Do you love lilies as much as we do? The lily comes in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. With hues of gold, pink, red, white, and purple petals, these perennial flowers have a striking visual aspect defined by their trumpet-shaped flower formation and tall stem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Italians have a special place in the hearts reserved for the lily, as the country\u2019s national flower. However, you don\u2019t need to have an Italian heritage to enjoy these beautiful plants. Lilies grow easily in well-drained soil and survive the winter season to flourish the following year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most popular garden varieties of these flowers include the Oriental and Asiatic lilies that bloom in early summer. The Asiatic kind grows with a short stem, while the Oriental varieties can reach up to 4-feet in height. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re considering planting a few lilies in your garden this year, follow our advice to ensure you give your plants the environment they need to thrive.
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1.    When to Plant Your Lilies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While it\u2019s a common occurrence to plant most flowers in the early spring, Lilies require planting in the months before the winter chill arrives. Lilies grow from bulbs, not seeds. Therefore, they develop roots during the winter months, and by the time the spring comes, the plants are ready to reach for the heavens and flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some gardeners believe that the colder the winter, the bigger the lily, and the larger the flowers become in the summer. If you’re growing your lilies in pots, then feel free to plant them at any time of the year. Buy your bulbs as close to your planting time as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bury the bulbs 12-inches below the soil surface and water before covering with loose topsoil. We recommend that you fertilize your soil a few weeks before planting. Add nitrogen and magnesium, water lightly and leave the earth to rest for at least 3-weeks before planting bulbs.
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2.    Using the Right Soil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Using the right soil mix and nutrients is a crucial step in growing outstanding lilies. Look around your garden and select an area that receives good sunlight during the day. The bulbs prefer light, airy soil that makes it easy to spread their roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drainage is one of the most important features of any flower bed, especially for those gardeners growing lilies. Well-drained soil allows air into the earth and helps the plants accelerate their growth. Flowerbeds that don\u2019t drain well will end up drowning the bulbs before they start to shoot in the early summer. Bulbs lying in undrained soil may also rot at the roots and stunt growth while inviting pests to feed on your plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re unsure of where to plant your bulbs, wait for a rainstorm. After the rain subsides, take a walk in your garden a few hours later and look for the area that dries out first \u2013 this is your new lily flowerbed.
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3.    How to Plant Lilies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lilies require plenty of sunlight to grow and flower, with 6 to 8-hours of sun a day the minimum benchmark \u2014 plants that don\u2019t receive enough sunlight end up with soft, under-supportive stems that buckle under the weight of the flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lilies do well in moderate to cold climates, with the Northern States providing the best environment for growth. Start your planting by assessing and fertilizing the soil. Improve the soil drainage by adding mulch and rotted organic matter. After a brief resting period of 3-weeks, it\u2019s time to plant your bulbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loosen the topsoil to a depth of between 12 to 15-inches. Planting deep allows the roots to spread wider to accommodate large flowers, eliminating the need for staking. Always plant to a minimum depth of three times the width of the bulb, with the pointed side facing upwards. Deep planting also ensures that the roots stay cool when it\u2019s hot outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After planting, cover the bulb with topsoil and gently press down on the soil to pack. Space bulbs 8 to 20-inches apart and plant in clusters of 5-bulbs for best effect. Water thoroughly, and let nature do the rest of the work.
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4.    Caring for Your Lilies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How you care for your lilies depends on the type of environmental circumstances in your State. These flowers love drinking water, so make sure you keep them well hydrated throughout the season. In areas where rainfall is less than 1-inch per week, with a hot and dry climate – you\u2019ll need to water freely every day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We recommend that you spread plenty of mulch around the base of your lilies to keep them cool and prevent excessive moisture evaporation on warm days. Check your much at the end of every day. It should feel damp \u2013 but not soaked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After planting, apply a liquid potassium fertilizer every 2-weeks until 6-weeks after flowering finishes. Cut back your lilies at the end of every season and cover with mulch to ensure regrowth the following season. Staking may be necessary for tall lilies, as the weight of the flowers may cause the plant to topple over and rip its roots.
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5.    Blooming Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lilies only bloom once each season. Once the plant finishes flowering, cut back the stem at the base. It\u2019s vital not to remove any leaves from the bottom until the season finishes, and they begin to wilt and turn brown. The flowering cycle for these plants lasts until late fall, and by cutting away the leaves, you run the risk of the plant not producing enough food from sunlight to feed itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lilies cut back too early have diminished flowering capacity the following season and, as a result, produce smaller flowers. Before the winter season sets in, add 6-inches of mulch to delay the ground freeze and keep the roots of your lilies growing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you live in an area of the United States that doesn\u2019t experience a harsh winter that freezes the ground, keep the soil moist throughout the wintertime. As the lilies begin to shoot through the layer of mulch in the spring, remove a thin layer to assist growth in the stem.
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6.    Choosing the Right Spot in Your Garden<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lilies are attractive plants that please the eye. Their pure white flowers with yellow centers catch the eye from anywhere in the garden. Gardeners planting hybrid varieties can expect a hardy plant that keeps returning year after year to flower spectacularly. Because of their perennial nature, it\u2019s best to give lilies a flowerbed of their own, where no other plants intrude on their root space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Select a flowerbed that receives good amounts of sun during the day. Lilies don\u2019t do well in the shade, and you can expect weakened flowering conditions if they don\u2019t get enough sunlight. For those gardeners planting Asiatic varieties, its best to use a high-alkaline soil that\u2019s combined with peat and clay pebbles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oriental lily hybrids require acidic soil to thrive, these plants do well in containers and pots, due to their need for specific soil combinations. These hybrids suit advanced growers with expertise in raising different species of lilies.
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7.    Blooming Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

True lilies are a different species to daylilies and water-lilies. Many flowers bear the name \u201clily\u201d that don\u2019t have the true characteristics of the plants. Lilyturf and lilies-of-the-valley are further examples of plants that feature the name but don\u2019t feature original lily genetics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

True lilies bloom in the midsummer months and continue to do so until the early fall. These plants have a hardy nature, and they may survive several flowering seasons if you mulch them well before and after the wintertime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s best to plant lilies in a flowerbed where roots from other large plants won\u2019t get in the way of the lilies roots spreading. We recommend that you dig up your bulbs every three to four years and separate the plants to spur new growth in the following summer season. If you must plant them in areas with other flowers, consider using low-root varieties that won\u2019t interfere with your lilies.
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8.    Protecting Lilies from Pests<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lilies are like any other plant in the garden \u2013 they\u2019re prone to insect infestations and other plant problems such as mold and mildew. Gray mold is a problem for lilies, and it’s best to protect your plants against it during the chilly months of spring or the wet summer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice gray mold on your plants, acquire a fungicide spray and dose the plants every three days until it disappears from view. Keep dosing the plants with the fungicide for a week after removing the mold to ensure no spores remain behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lilies need excellent air circulation to survive, so ensure you position them in an area of the garden that receives gusts of wind. Aphids present the biggest concern for lilies. However, some species are resilient to pests and other viruses that damage the plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep your eyes open for snails, slugs, and red lily beetles as well. To prevent these pests from eating your lilies roots, plant the blubs with a wire-mesh cage around the circumference.
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9.    Harvesting and Displaying Lilies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lilies make for wonderful display flowers. Their pure white leaves with pink or yellow centers work well in most arrangements. However, when harvesting your plants, it\u2019s critical that you don\u2019t remove more than a third of the stem, or you run the risk of damaging the plant and preventing further flowering in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you intend on growing lilies for cut flowers, it’s best if you plant the bulbs in a separate garden where you can dig the bulbs up and replace them at the end of each season. When selecting which lilies to cut, choose the buds that are about to open and display their glory. The buds on the top of the plant will begin to open as soon as you cut the lower flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cut the lilies from the stem in a diagonal manner, using this technique you can expect the flowers to last for up to 3-weeks in water after cutting. One lily flower in a vase makes a significant visual impression.
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10.    Selecting the Right Lilies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Choosing the right lilies for your garden is an extensive process that requires a bit of research on your part. There\u2019s a significant difference between true lilies, Oriental, and Asiatic species \u2013 to name a few. What do you want out of your bulbs? What other flowers are you planting? Lilies are a tall plant, so it\u2019s best to plant other smaller flowers around them to accentuate their beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, you can enjoy lilies all year long if you plant different varieties in different areas of your garden. With upward-facing flowers and early blooming, Asiatic lilies are the best choice for lily novices growing them for the first time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asiatic lilies flower in a range of beautiful colors including orange, yellow, white, pink, and red \u2013 as well as the traditional pure white. These lilies bloom in early summer, and their flowers last for the entire season. Asiatic species lost a lot of their fragrance due to the excessive breeding programs for this variety.
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11.    Support for Your Lilies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As lilies stretch for the sky and begin to flower, it\u2019s relatively common for the plants to become top-heavy and start to lean. This situation presents a danger to the plants. A severe rainstorm could lade the flowers with more water and end up buckling the stem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buckled lilies can recover \u2013 but it takes a lot of time and effort to get them to flower again. If this happens to your plants, you’re better off harvesting the flowers, cutting back the stem \u2013 and wait for a new round of flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High winds can also cause top-heavy flowers to snap their stems. Staking your lilies is the best strategy to prevent this sort of circumstance from occurring. Use gardening twine to attach the stem to the stake loosely \u2013 don\u2019t tie it too tight or you\u2019ll impede the plant’s growth. Ensure that you don\u2019t hit the bulb when driving the stake into the ground.
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12.    Growing in Pots<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lilies look great in the garden, but they make gorgeous pot plants as well. The bulbs grow readily after potting provided that you give them the factors they need to develop. The first step in potting your lilies is selecting a container that\u2019s deep enough to accommodate the bulb at a depth of three times its width. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leave around half a foot below the bulb for the roots to grow. It\u2019s recommended to fill the bottom of the pot with a 3-inch layer of clay pebbles before filling with soil. This strategy ensures that your container has adequate draining to keep the roots from rotting. We recommend a growing area that\u2019s no less than 10-inches deep for the ideal root room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When planting more than one bulb in a pot, you can place them closer together to save space. As a guideline, set the bulbs 2-inches apart. Remember to plant them before winter for flowers the following summer.
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13.    Dividing and Lifting Your Lilies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lilies keep growing season after season if you care for them correctly. After a few years, you\u2019ll need to dig up the bulbs and separate them to ensure the plants keep on producing. Do the excavation work in the fall after the leaves turn brown and begin to spoil. At this stage, the bulbs are dormant, awaiting the next flowering season and it\u2019s the ideal time for dividing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When digging up lilies in the garden, use a fork and take a wide-diameter around the plant to ensure that you don\u2019t damage any of the bulbs. When you have the bulbs above ground, gently separate them, keeping as much of the roots as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For lilies grown in pots, tip the container upside down and remove the bulb gently. Replant using the same method outlined earlier in this article. You might discover a few new smaller bulbs during the excavation. It\u2019s best to plant these in a separate nursery flowerbed as the new bulbs can take a few years to reach maturity.
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14.    Lilies as House Plants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lilies aren\u2019t just for the garden; they make attractive houseplants as well. Follow the steps we outlined for planting bulbs in pots and select a room in your home that has good sunlight during the day. It\u2019s important to note that window panes with UV protection film don\u2019t provide the sunlight these flowers need to thrive. Removing the UV component from light reduces the plant’s ability to feed itself by drawing nutrients from the soil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t place your lilies in direct sunlight as the flowers may burn and wilt from the suns strong rays with no wind around. The Peace lily is an excellent option for indoor gardeners. This variety only requires low-light conditions to thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, placing a lily 3-feet from a North-facing window is more than enough light to allow for optimal growth. Indoor lilies require the same maintenance as outdoor varieties, and you\u2019ll need to dig them up every few years to separate the bulbs.
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15.    Overwintering Lilies <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Overwintering describes the period where plants see out the winter season in a dormant state. It\u2019s entirely possible to protect your plants from the harsh weather of the winter months. While lilies need the cold to spur growth, the bulbs may freeze if they\u2019re planted too close to the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discontinue watering in the late fall after the leaves begin to turn brown. Cut back the stem to just above the soil line, and remove all of the spoiled leaves. Cover the lily in a layer of mulch to protect it from the cold environmental elements. If you\u2019re growing indoors, add a few mothballs to the pot to prevent mice, insects, and other pests colonizing the container.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you live in an area of the US that doesn\u2019t receive any snowfall, make sure you keep the ground moist \u2013 but not wet. New growth begins in the spring, and you\u2019ll know within a few weeks if your plants survived the winter months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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