Red Lily Plant

Lily flowers are valued for their large, very showy, often fragrant flowers. The 6 plain or strikingly marked tepals (“petals”) are often trumpet-shaped, sitting atop tall, erect stems.

·         Apply a thin layer of compost each spring, followed by a 2-inch layer of mulch.

(Note: This page is about growing “true” lilies which belong to the genus Lilium and grow from plump, scaly bulbs. Asiatic and Oriental lilies are examples of true lilies. The daylily and peace lily plants, despite the word “lily” in the name, are not true lilies.)Learn more about “true” lilies.

These hearty bulbs are easy to grow and require minimal care, provided that you plant them in the right place.

At home in both formal and naturalistic settings, lilies also most take readily to containers. Plus, they all make wonderful cut flowers!

By carefully blending early, mid-season, and late varieties into your garden, you will enjoy their magnificent blooms from spring through frost.

Lily Planting & Care 

·         Plant lily bulbs in autumn.

·         Stake tall lilies.

·         Lilies do not rebloom, but you can remove the faded flowers so that the plants don’t waste energy making seeds.

·         Leave the foliage until it turns brown in the fall. This is important so that the plant stores energy for next year’s flowering. Cut down the dead stalks in the late fall or early spring.

·         Before winter, add 4 to 6 inches of mulch, simply to delay the ground freeze and allow the roots to keep growing. Leave the mulch until spring once the last hard frost has passed.

·         Divide plants every 3 to 4 years as new growth begins in the spring. Just lift them and divide into clumps. Replant using compost and bonemeal.

PESTS/DISEASES

·         Gray mold is sometimes a problem, especially in a wet, cool spring or summer. Make sure lilies are not crowded and have plenty of air circulation.

·         Viruses, spread by aphids, may be troublesome, although some cultivars are virus-tolerant.

·         Red lily beetles, slugs, and snails may occur.

Deer, rabbits, voles, and groundhogs may eat entire plants. Consider a wire cage for