Lily Care

Sunlight

• Oriental and Asiatic lilies grow best with direct sunlight. Lilies should have at least six to eight hours of sun, except for Turk's-cap and Martagon lilies which will grow very well with indirect sunlight or shady conditions. When Oriental and Asiatic lilies are grown with reduced hours of sunlight, the lilies tend to be spindly and the stems aren't as strong, which causes the flower to be floppier.

Water

• Only water the soil when the soil becomes extremely dry when there has been no rain for more than a week. The lilies grow best in well-draining soil, but do need moisture in the soil to keep their flowers from premature wilting. Give the soil at least 3 inches of water when the soil is extremely dry.

Fertilizer

• Each spring, the ground where the lily bulbs are planted will need an application of 5-10-10 (nitrogen-phosphate-potassium) slow release fertilizer. When applying the fertilizer, use the manufacturer's instructions on the package, since different brands of fertilizer have different instructions and application amounts.

Winter Care

• Pinch dead flowers as they fade or wilt. Leave stems and green foliage until late fall. At this time, cut back the stems and leaves to the ground. Place 2 to 3 inches of mulch over the bulb to keep it protected during the winter. In spring, as the weather warms, remove the mulch so the ground warms under the warm sun.