| Lilies (Lilium) need full sun or at least a half day's direct sun, rich soil, and a very well drained location. The bulbs do not go dormant so they should be handled with care and planted immediately. They are usually planted as bare bulbs in the fall or sold in spring as container grown plants. In spring, the bulbs send up tall stems. They typically bloom in June or July depending on the specific variety. After bloom, remove the faded flower but leave the stem and foliage intact. In the fall, after freezing weather kills the foliage, trim off the stem. Keep mulched year round with several inches of organic mulch. Water deeply during dry spells. Watch for rodent damage to the bulbs and also in some areas for the red lily beetle. Divide every five years or so when the clump becomes crowded. |
