Known as tree lilies, the hybrids of oriental and Easter lilies can grow up to a meter tall when planted in deep, nutrient-rich soil. They are at their most spectacular about three years after planting. Lilies add stunning bursts of color to your garden, and lily bulbs are available in stores early in spring.
Store unplanted bulbs in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place, ideally between 2–6°C. Warm conditions encourage the bulbs to sprout.
1. Sandy soil is ideal for planting. Plant lily bulbs in pots in April. If you have a cool, bright growing space, you can plant the bulbs as early as March. Bulbs that are already vigorously sprouting are also best planted in pots.
2. Choose a deep pot and plant the bulb several centimeters below the soil surface. You can also plant multiple bulbs in a large pot. The ideal place for rooting is cool, but you can root the bulbs at room temperature too. Avoid overwatering. Rooting takes about two to three weeks. Move the seedlings to a bright location when the shoots begin to grow. Provide extra fertilization during the seedling stage.
3. On warm spring days, take the seedlings outside; you can also use a greenhouse. Plant the seedlings in a bed or outdoor pot around early June when the risk of frost has passed. If you plant the lilies earlier, protect the seedlings from frost. Cover the seedling with soil so that the bulb remains 10–15 centimeters deep. Support the delicate seedling with a stake.
4. After the mid-summer flowering, transplant pot-grown lilies into the ground. Lilies overwinter best in well-draining soil. Bulbs stored over winter often begin to grow during the winter months.
