Lilies are the stars of the summer garden. Tall, elegant, often fragrant, and almost impossible to ignore, they can turn an ordinary flower bed into a real focal point.
On warm summer evenings, the fragrance of Oriental and trumpet lilies can travel surprisingly far. And when I cut a few stems for a bouquet, they rarely need an elaborate arrangement. Lilies do most of the work themselves.
There are delicate, airy varieties, vivid Asiatic lilies, richly scented Oriental lilies, tall trumpet forms, and martagons with petals that curl backward. Some perform best in full sun, while others tolerate light shade, but nearly all share one essential requirement: their bulbs must never sit in water.
With lilies, the essentials are good drainage, enough light, and the patience to leave the foliage in place after flowering so it can feed the bulb.
| Common name | Lily |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lilium |
| Plant type | Perennial flowering bulb |
| Height | About 16 inches to 6½ feet, depending on the variety |
| Light | Full sun or light partial shade |
| Best location | Flower borders, garden beds, and containers |
| Suitable for containers | Yes |
| Suitable for cut flowers | Yes |
| Bloom time | Mainly summer, depending on the group and variety |
Main types of lilies
Asiatic lilies
Among the easiest lilies to grow. They usually bloom earlier, come in a wide range of colors, and have little or no fragrance.
Oriental lilies
These have large, luxurious, strongly scented flowers. They generally bloom later and prefer fertile, well-drained soil.
Trumpet lilies
Their flowers are long and trumpet-shaped. Many varieties grow tall and fragrant, so a sheltered position is useful.
Longiflorum lilies
These produce long, elegant flowers and are widely used as cut flowers and in professional floral work.
Martagon lilies
More airy in appearance, with petals that curve backward. They naturalize well and tolerate more shade than many other lilies.
Interdivisional hybrids
OT lilies combine Oriental and trumpet types, LA hybrids combine Longiflorum and Asiatic lilies, and OA hybrids combine Oriental and Asiatic lilies.
Where to grow lilies
Lilies grow well in most fertile garden soils as long as water drains freely. Their bulbs do not have the thick protective skin found on tulip bulbs, so prolonged waterlogging can quickly lead to rot.
Choose a sunny position or light partial shade. In a very hot garden, it helps if the soil around the base remains cooler while the stems and flowers receive enough light.
Tall varieties perform better in a position protected from strong wind. A fence, wall, or surrounding group of plants can provide shelter without making the lilies feel crowded.
When to plant lily bulbs
Lily bulbs can be planted in fall or early spring, whenever the soil is workable and not waterlogged. Once you buy the bulbs, do not leave them sitting out for too long. Plant them as soon as possible because they lose moisture easily.
How to plant lilies
I prefer to plant lilies in groups of three to five bulbs. A single plant can be beautiful, but a group creates a fuller and much more intentional effect.
- Choose a spot with fertile, well-drained soil. If water tends to collect there, create a slightly raised planting area.
- Dig one planting hole for the group. A useful guide is two to three times the height of the bulb, often about 6 to 8 inches deep.
- In heavy soil, improve the overall structure with compost and coarse mineral material. Do not rely only on a small pocket of fine sand beneath the bulb.
- Set the bulbs with the pointed end facing upward and the roots downward. A slightly bent shoot will naturally turn toward the light.
- Backfill carefully, firm the soil lightly, and water moderately.
- Mark the planting spot so you do not damage the bulbs during later digging or weeding.
A practical tool set for planting and maintaining lilies
Planting bulbs, loosening the soil around established clumps, trimming spent flowers, and keeping the bed tidy all require a few dependable hand tools. A compact set is usually more useful than a collection of decorative tools that look lovely and then bend at the first serious root.
The Fiskars 6-Piece Vegetable Gardening Essentials Tool Set includes everyday tools and garden shears that can also be used for lily beds, containers, and general flower-garden maintenance.
Growing lilies in pots and containers
Lilies grow well in containers, making them a practical option for heavy clay soil, small gardens, balconies, and patios.
Choose a deep, stable container with plenty of drainage holes. Tall varieties with heavy flowers can tip over a lightweight pot in windy weather.
Use a good-quality potting mix and add perlite, fine bark, or another coarse material to improve airflow around the roots. Large amounts of fine construction sand can compact the mix instead of improving it.
Watering lilies
Water regularly but moderately. During active growth and bud formation, the soil should remain evenly moist, but never constantly wet.
Check container-grown lilies more often because pots dry out faster. At the same time, never leave water standing in a saucer beneath the pot.
Feeding lilies
Lilies respond well to feeding during active growth. In spring, you can add well-rotted compost or a balanced fertilizer.
Once the plants begin to form buds, a liquid feed with a higher potassium content can be useful. Tomato fertilizer is a practical choice, especially for lilies grown in containers.
Supporting tall lilies
Shorter varieties usually manage without help. Tall Oriental, trumpet, and OT hybrids, however, can reach impressive heights and carry heavy flowers.
Add supports while the stems are still young. Bamboo canes, metal plant supports, or a discreet framework hidden among surrounding plants all work well.
What to do after flowering
Remove faded flowers so the plant does not waste energy producing seed. Leave the stems and foliage in place until they turn yellow and die back naturally.
The green leaves continue feeding the bulb. Cutting them down immediately after flowering reduces the chance of strong growth and flowering the following year.
Lilies as cut flowers
For bouquets, cut the stems when the first bud is beginning to open and the remaining buds are still closed. The flowers will then open gradually in the vase.
Do not cut the entire stem too close to the ground. Leave enough foliage on the plant so the bulb can rebuild its energy reserves.
The stamens can be carefully removed from open flowers. Lily pollen stains clothing and table linens easily. If pollen falls onto fabric, do not rub it with a damp cloth. Remove it first with a dry brush or a piece of adhesive tape.
Common problems
Bulbs are rotting
The most common cause is waterlogged soil. Improve drainage and avoid watering simply out of habit.
Stems are leaning
Strong wind, shallow planting, excess nitrogen, or lack of support may be responsible.
Leaves but no flowers
Possible reasons include too little light, an exhausted bulb, or foliage that was removed too early the previous season.
Damaged leaves and buds
Check for aphids, slugs, and lily beetles. With a small number of plants, regular inspection is often the simplest form of control.
What to plant with lilies
In the garden, lilies look best among plants that hide the lower stems and keep the soil around their base cooler.
- hostas for lightly shaded combinations;
- hardy geraniums and other low perennials;
- salvias and catmint for sunny positions;
- ornamental grasses;
- roses with a calmer shape and color;
- annual flowers that fill the space after the lilies finish blooming.
The essentials at a glance
- Plant lilies in fertile, very well-drained soil.
- Choose a sunny or lightly shaded, sheltered position.
- Plant bulbs in groups of three to five for a stronger effect.
- Water regularly without allowing the soil to become waterlogged.
- Feed moderately during active growth and bud formation.
- Support tall varieties before the stems become heavy.
- Do not cut down green foliage immediately after flowering.
- Keep all parts of lilies away from cats.
Lilies are not subtle plants, and that is exactly part of their charm. They arrive with height, color, fragrance, and a certain amount of confidence. When planted correctly, the work they require is modest compared with the display they return every summer.
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