When to Plant Lily Bulbs
Plant your lilies in the spring when the soil is easy to work with but not overly wet.
Plant your lilies in the fall about a month before the first killing frost while the soil is still manageable.
Where to Plant Lily Bulbs
Before planting your lily bulbs, select a sunny location. Well-drained soil is essential for optimal lily growth. While lilies thrive in full sun, they can also tolerate partial shade.
How to Plant Lily Bulbs
For an appealing display, plant lilies in clusters of three to five bulbs, spaced approximately 12 inches apart to allow for proper growth. Smaller bulb varieties should be planted two to four inches deep, while larger bulbs should be buried six inches deep. Keep each cluster three to four feet apart to accommodate their mature size. Ensure the soil remains consistently moist, watering deeply once a week during the growing season. In hot weather, monitor soil moisture closely and water as needed to prevent drying out.
How to Care for Lilies
Mulching your lily garden during the fall and winter is advised. Spread the mulch back in the spring as the lily stalks emerge from the soil as it will no longer be needed. If your soil needs amendment, fertilize the lily garden in the early spring using a 5-10-10 (just check the fertilizer bag). Remove the dead flower heads as soon as they die off. This gives the plant energy back to the bulb for next season. When removing dead flowers from lilies, it's important to NOT remove leaves; doing so may prohibit the bulb from blooming the following year. If cutting lilies for flower arrangements, a bit of foliage is cut from the stem which means there is a higher possibility that the bulbs will not rebloom the next year. We suggest that you dig up and divide lily bulbs every three or four years (the bulbs will multiply). Replant the bulbs in new patterns and holes, and if possible, extend the lily garden area you have already been using.