When and How to Plant Lilies

Lily bulbs are best planted between September and March, as they are relatively frost-resistant. Before planting in average soils, such as clayey ones, it’s advisable to create a drainage layer in the planting hole to help the bulbs grow better. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Dig a hole at least 20 to 30 centimeters deep.
  2. Fill it with a layer of coarse gravel about ten centimeters thick.
  3. Add a mixture of sand, compost, and garden soil about ten centimeters thick on top of the gravel.
  4. Plant the lily bulbs in the hole or on top of the soil layers, then cover them with the remaining soil.
  5. If moles are active in your garden, consider planting lily bulbs in special wire baskets to protect them from rodents.

Soil Preferences for Different Lily Varieties

  • Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium): Requires fresh, humus-rich, and well-drained soil.
  • Martagon Lily (Lilium martagon): Prefers humus-rich, well-drained, and calcareous soil.
  • Splendid Lily (Lilium speciosum): Needs sandy, humus-rich soil, and avoids limestone and slightly acidic conditions.
  • Madonna Lily (Lilium candidum): Thrives in dry, nutritious, well-drained, and calcareous soil.

Care: Watering, Fertilizing, and Pruning

  • During the growing and flowering period, lilies should be watered regularly.
  • Fertilize in early spring with a complete organic or mineral fertilizer, avoiding those high in nitrogen. During and after growth, feed lilies once or twice with liquid fertilizer.
  • Cut off faded lily flowers regularly to prevent the plant from wasting energy on seed formation. Initially, leave the leafy stem in place. When it withers in the fall, cut it off just above the ground.
  • Lilies are hardy and do not need to be dug up in the fall. They remain in the garden soil and will sprout again in the spring.

Species and Varieties

There are many species and varieties of lilies. Some are ideal for specific garden settings:

  • In flowerbeds, consider the oriental lily (Lilium orientalis) and tall species like the royal lily (Lilium regale), which can reach about one meter in height.
  • For lower flowers, the Siberian white lily is a good choice, growing up to sixty centimeters.

Parasites and Diseases

Lilies can be susceptible to various pests and diseases:

  • Pests: Besides moles, the lily leaf beetle (Lilioceris lilii) can make holes in the leaves. This red beetle attacks several times a year, but can be easily collected. Aphids and lily flies (Liriomyza urophorina) may also appear, damaging the flowers by laying eggs that destroy the flower interior.
  • Diseases: Common diseases include bulb rot (fusarium wilt) and grey mould (botrytis), which is more prevalent in warm, humid weather. To prevent infestations, avoid planting lilies too close together. Horsetail extract has also been shown to be effective.
Garden Tips and Tricks