How to Split Star-Gazer Lilies

Star-gazer lilies are among the most common oriental lily types. They grow 2 to 3 feet high and most plants bloom approximately six to nine flowers which span from 6 to 8 inches in diameter. The flowers face upward toward the sky, hence the name. Star-gazer lilies grow from bulbs which multiply underground every year. In three to four years, you may notice your star-gazer lilies blooming a bit less. This is an indication that the garden is overcrowded and needs splitting, also called dividing.

Garden fork
Garden hose

Instructions

- 1
  Remove star-gazer lily bulbs from the ground in the fall, after the foliage dies back or begins to wilt. Prune the foliage down to about 3 or 4 inches so you can easily see what you are doing, but still know where the lilies are growing.
- 2
  Dig down around your lily clumps with a garden fork and gently lift the bulbs out of the soil. You can also use a spade or shovel, but be careful not to damage the bulbs in the process. Star-gazer lily bulbs are typically planted 2 to 6 inches deep, but tend to sink a bit further over the years.
- 3
  Brush the soil off of the star-gazer lily bulbs. Wash them off with the hose, if necessary, so you can clearly see the bulbs.
- 4
  Pull the star-gazer lily bulbs apart. You may have to do a little bit of twisting to get them off. Most likely there will also be tiny bulblets growing from the stems or roots. Pull those off also. The small bulbs won't bloom for several years, so plant them in the back of your garden or in a starter garden.
- 5
  Cut off the rest of the stems, but leave any roots growing on the bottom of the bulbs. They are ready to replant. Plant the medium to larger bulbs 4 to 6 inches deep and the tiny bulblets 2 inches deep.

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