Lilies are a show-stopping flower to grow in the garden thanks to their spectacular, large flowers that come in a variety of pretty shades. From perfect pinks to regal whites and elegant yellows, lilies are a cottage gardener’s favourite for a reason. With fragrant flowers, lilies make a wonderful cut flower and can bring a magnificent display to any vase or jug on your windowsill or side table indoors. Read on to discover all you need to know with our complete guide to growing lilies.
How to plant lily bulbs
Planting lily bulbs in the ground
To start planting your lily bulbs in the ground, dig a hole at least 8 inches (20cm) deep. If you’re looking for a fuller effect, it’s a good idea to plant them in groups of 3-5 bulbs.
Once your hole is dug, plant them pointy end up with the hair-like roots facing downwards. Don’t worry if your bulbs have sprouts, just aim to plant the sprout above the ground.
Planting lilies in pots
If you don’t have the right soil type to successfully grow lilies in the ground, we recommend opting for containers as the preferred option. Plant lily bulbs in pots around 8 inches (20cm) deep with a mix of compost and grit.
When to plant lily bulbs
Spring is the best time to plant lily bulbs for summer flowers. It’s a good idea to plant when frosts have passed and the ground isn’t too hard to dig. Ideally, you should plant lily bulbs in the ground or in pots by the end of March latest. Once planted, ensure your bulbs are well watered, especially in dry spells.
When do lilies bloom?
Lilies usually bloom from early summer through to fall. By carefully planning which varieties you plant, you can expect wonderful floral displays from early summer to mid-season and late flowering varieties in autumn.
When to cut back lilies
After your lilies have finished flowering completely, deadhead the remaining spent flowers. Leave behind the stem and leaves to die back naturally. Once this happens, the stem will turn brown and appear hollow which is a good time to cut the stem back down to the base of the plant.
How to deadhead lilies
After the petals of the lily flower have dropped off, cut back the flowerhead to just above the next pair of leaves. It’s a good idea to stay on top of deadheading throughout the season so that your plant remains healthy and more flowers are encouraged to bloom.
How to look after lilies?
Watering
Ensure you water your liles regularly throughout the season, especially in dry spells. If your lilies are in containers, you may need to water them more frequently as they can dry out quicker. It’s important to keep your lilies watered but avoid overwatering. As a rule of thumb, you can gently press your finger into the soil to feel if that plant requires watering. If the compost is dry, your plant will require water but if it’s moist already, delay the watering back a bit.
Top tip: by adding mulch (such as strulch) on top of the soil around the base of your plant, you’ll be able to keep more moisture in and this will prevent it from drying out so quickly.
Feeding
To give your lilies the best chance of growth and to ensure they have all the nutrients they require, it’s a good idea to feed your plant every two weeks with a slow release fertiliser and a liquid potash feed (tomato feed) .
Staking
Some varieties of lilies can grow very tall, leaving them more at risk of snapping or flopping over. This will most likely happen if the flowerhead is too big or heavy for the stem to support. To support the stem, you can add in a stake alongside the plant, tied with garden string to hold it in place. When sliding the stake into the soil alongside the stem, be gentle and wary not to pierce through or damage the bulb below.
What to do with lilies in winter?
Lilies generally aren’t too bothered by the colder temperatures but the wet weather that winter brings will affect them harshly. When winter arrives, place a cloche or cover over your lilies in the ground to add a layer of protection, and place container lilies in a cold frame to keep them covered and out of harm’s way.
How to divide lilies?
If you find that your lily display is becoming too busy and overcrowding is occurring, you can dig up and divide your lily bulbs to spread them out a bit in future. Once your lilies have died back in autumn, gently dig up around the plant and lift out the plant. Shake off any extra loose soil and remove the bulbs one at a time. Cut back the stem to 15-20 cm and replant your bulbs, ideally in a new place in the garden. There will be smaller bulbs too and these can be potted up to grow on.