Tips and Growing Instructions: Lilies

Fall is a great time for planting lilies.. Lily "bulbs" are actually tubers composed of fleshy scales and lack a protective covering. Unlike true bulb flowers, they never go completely dormant and should be handled carefully since they loose moisture very quickly. Essentially, you can plant your new lilies anytime before the ground freezes. The most natural location for lilies is on sloping ground with excellent drainage. It's a good idea to place them with other low plants which can provide shade for the bulb and root system. Prepare the soil with large amounts of organic matter such as leaf mold or compost. Plant with the roots downward and the scales upward. After planting, water well two or three times before freezing. Lilies are most effective when planted in groups of three or more. Space them about 30 cm apart - they will spread and fill this space in no time!

Versatile Asiatic Lilies are great for beds and borders, planted among shrubs, along walls, or in containers. They are incredibly easy to grow and few garden pests trouble them. For best results, plant your lilies where they will have good drainage and mix some leaf mold or compost into the soil. Lilies prefer to have their blooms in the sun and their roots in the shade. Try planting them among annuals or perennials that will keep their roots cool. Always allow the leaves on the stalk to turn yellow and fall off as part of the lily's natural growth process. This ensures that the bulbous underground part of the plant has gotten enough nourishment and will mean greater growth next year. Each year watch their beauty increase as they multiply!

There are literally thousands of lily varieties and hybrids on the market today. Some of our most popular varieties include Tiger Lilies, Oriental Lilies, and Trumpet Lilies.

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