Boasting some of the brightest and biggest petals in the plant kingdom, not to mention potent perfumes, lilies unfold their gorgeous blooms from early summer to early fall. There are several types to choose from, including Asiatic, the enticingly fragrant Oriental, and longiflora hybrids. Each offers an array of colors and forms.

Lily Overview

Where to Plant Lily

Choose a spot for lilies that receives full sun or part shade and has well-drained soil. Lilies look at home in all areas of the landscape. Plant them near an entryway or patio to enjoy their beauty and fragrance. Add a group of eight to 10 bulbs to a border for a dramatic midsummer display. To stage a lily show all summer, grow some of each type, including Asiatic, which starts blooming in June; the late-blooming, extremely fragrant Oriental; and longiflorum hybrids that provide color in between the other bloom times.

When planting lilies alongside companions, plant the bulbs in drifts of five or more bulbs of a single variety. Avoid mixing too many lily cultivars or the scene will take on a chaotic, busy appearance.

How and When to Plant Lily

Plant lily bulbs in spring or fall when the soil is cool. Most varieties will be available from retail outlets and growers in the fall. Unlike tulip bulbs, lily bulbs don't have a protective covering so they should be planted right away to avoid drying them out. Place each bulb in a hole about 6 inches deep with its pointed tip facing up and its roots in contact with the soil at the bottom of the planting hole. For quick and easy planting, dig a large trench and plant several bulbs together, spacing the bulbs 6 inches apart. Cover the trench with soil and water well.

Some lilies become top-heavy when in bloom. Stake tall lily varieties early in the season to prevent damaging plants as you work in the garden. Use garden twine to tie the stem to a bamboo stake in the soil near the bulb.

Lily Care Tips

Light

Grow lilies in direct sun to part shade for best blooms and garden performance. Lilies are happiest when their heads are in the sun and their roots are in the shade, so a thick layer of mulch is helpful.

Soil and Water

Lilies prefer a well-drained soil high in organic matter with an acidic pH. Mix in some shredded leaves or other organic amendment at planting time.

Provide supplemental watering if natural rainfall is less than an inch per week, but don't overwater as they will rot if standing in soggy soil. The plants may tolerate extended dry periods once established.

Temperature and Humidity

Generally, lilies can tolerate temperatures into the 90s F without problems. Bulbs will overwinter in the ground in most regions but they do need a cold season for several weeks so won't thrive in regions above zone 8. In Zones 5 and below, cover fall-planted bulbs with a 2-inch-thick layer of mulch to protect them from temperature extremes.

Fertilizer

Lilies benefit from a slow-release fertilizer applied in the spring at the beginning of active growth. If you prefer a water-soluble fertilizer, apply it every few weeks during the growing season. For the amounts and application procedure, follow product label directions.

Pruning

Deadhead spent blooms to prevent energy going to setting seed. Cut the stem back to the ground when foliage yellows after blooming.

Potting and Repotting Lily

Lily makes a good container plant but it will grow shorter than when grown in the ground. Select a pot with large drainage holes and use well-draining potting soil. Keep in mind that potted plants, unlike plants in the landscape, require more frequent watering and fertilization.

Despite their hardiness in areas with cold winters, when grown in pots, lily bulbs are exposed to the cold. As a protective measure, winterize the pots by sinking the container into the ground. You can also place the container in a second, larger pot to create a planting silo that will insulate the roots from the cold.

Pests and Problems

Pests occasionally bother lilies. Deer will eat young foliage and blossoms. Rabbits will eat young plants. On the East Coast, bright red lily beetles are becoming a problem. Treat the soil around the plants to control larvae, or pick the adult beetles off blooms to prevent damaged petals. Japanese beetles will disfigure lily flowers shortly after they open.

Diseases may include bulb rot (especially if grown in poorly-drained soils), botrytis, and lily mosaic virus, for which there is no cure.