Grow lilies in your garden. It will improve the look of your garden.
If you are fascinated to grow various kinds of flowers, better go for lilies as they are easy to grow and becomes a colorful addition to your garden and landscape [Tips for flower garden].
If you choose a combination of early, mid season, and late blooming cultivators, you can get lilies in flower from mid June through mid September that means the plants will become ready by November.
These hardy bulbs need less care. Each bulb has the capacity to grow ultimately into a large cluster of flowering stems.
Lilies are available in different colors like white lily, pink, deep pink, yellow, cream and dark red.
Growing lilies
Lilies can bring beauty, fragrance and color to your garden for many years. Growing lilies only need planting in correct place and providing simple requirements.
You have to choose a well drained location with at least half a day of sunshine. If it’s too shady, the stems will stretch and lean towards the sun. Trumpet lilies are the most shade sensitive. These flowers love full sun; hence you have to plant them in area where there is full sunlight.
You should look for a spot that is the first to dry out after rain. These flowers are bothered by botrytis, a fungus that spots the leaves in prolonged cool, wet weather. This should not be a problem in the home garden if you provide good air circulation and space the plants so that leaves can dry out easily after the rain.
If you do see brown spots on the leaves, use any fungicides that are recommended.
How to plant your lilies?
You can plant lily bulbs in spring or in fall, generally from mid September through mid October. Add lilies to your garden throughout the growing season if you find any hardy lilies that are grown in containers.
When buying locally, you have to select firm, pulp bulbs with roots attached. Plant them as soon as possible. plant lilies in groups of three or five identical bulbs for best effects. Space them eight to twelve inches apart and keep groups three to five feet apart, depending on the vigor and size of the flowers.
Small lily bulbs should be planted two to four inches deep and large bulbs four to six inches deep; you have to measure from the top of the bulb. Divide and replant large clusters of bulbs for every three years or so or when it seems they are not blooming as well as originally.
Remember not to plant lilies where standing water collects after heavy rainfall. Well drained place is absolutely necessary for growing lilies.
Better add lots of organic matter to clay soil for creating a raised area with improved drainage. Mulch over newly planted bulbs with 4 to 6 inches of loose, weed free compost, leaves or wood chips before winter.
There is no need of winter protection where good snow cover is dependable. Wait until November when the ground begins to freeze, before spreading it.
