Burning Lily

HOW TO GROW🌱

Early spring is a great time to plant lilies. Aim to have your lily bulbs in the ground at least four weeks before the last frost. Choose a planting site that receives partial to full sun. Most lilies prefer well-draining soil with a neutral pH, so add compost and sand if necessary to improve drainage. Add sulfur to acidify the soil and add a little limestone if the soil is already too acidic.

Prior to planting lily bulbs in the spring, use a broadfork or tiller to loosen the soil to about 12 inches. Bury spring-planted lily bulbs about six inches deep, and consider grouping three to five bulbs together for a striking visual effect. Space single bulbs or clumps about 8 to10 inches apart. Give the bulbs a thorough drink after planting. Once spring-planted bulbs start to send up shoots, mulch the row to retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.

Lilies can also be planted in fall, around the same time that you’d be planting tulips and daffodils. Aim to have fall lily bulbs in the ground at least four weeks before the first frost. Choose a planting site that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight.

Lilies are a favorite for cut flowers. To harvest them for decorating, cut the stem about 10 inches down, but no more than half the entire stalk. Lilies need a portion of the stem intact to rejuvenate and return again to bloom next season. Cut lilies when the first bloom has started to show color and open. Immediately transfer to water—the remaining buds will open in the vase. This staggered blooming results in a cut flower arrangement that lasts up to two weeks! If you'd rather not cut your precious lilies (and we don’t blame you), be sure to deadhead spent stems to encourage the most flowering.

With such a wide range of lilies, try filling your garden with diverse colors and sizes!💗