Easter Lily - Knowledgebase Question

Auburn, NY
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Question by mrviking
April 20, 1998
I recently bought some "Easter Lilies" Can I plant them outdoors in my climate?


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Answer from NGA
April 20, 1998
The popular Easter lily (L.longiflorum var.eximium) is normally forced into flower for Easter. After it has finished flowering, the flowerhead should be removed and the lily planted in the garden.

I haven't really been too successful in getting them to come up for me. However, you have nothing to lose by trying. Lilies like to have their heads in the sun and their feet in the shade. In very hot areas they prefer light shade. They like moisture during the growing season, but be sure the drainage is good. The lilies should be grown in humus rich soil. A mulch of leaf mold is very good for it because it will control weeds and also keep the bulbs from drying out in the hot summer.

They should be planted with twice as much soil over the top of the bulb as the bulb is high. Well-rotted compost should be incorporated into the soil around the hole before the bulb is planted.

In your area, it pays to protect the bulbs from thawing and freezing by coving them with a thick mulch for the winter. I wish you well. Maybe you'll be rewarded next spring!

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