Lily

According to definition, a lily is a bulbous plant or flower from the genus lilium that consist of six stamens and a three celled ovary. Those in the genus lilium are characterized by a bulb covered in fleshy scales which is devoid of a protective coating. The bulb does not have a dormant period and care should be taken to keep the bulbs moist during storage.

Although this technical definition describes the genus lilium, plants exist which do not meet the scientific characterization, yet are still considered to be lilies. In addition, plants such as the calla lily (zantedeschia) and magic lilies (lycoris) are not from the genus lilium but are widely accepted as lilies.

Planting a Lily

As previously mentioned, lilies do not have a dormant period so ideally they should be planted immediately to ensure they will be healthy at the time of planting. Traditionally, fall is the ideal time for planting a lily but the planting can also be done in the spring. A lily should be planted in a location which receives ample sunlight and where the soil drains well.

To plant a lily, dig a hole approximately six inches deep and line the bottom of the hole with a bulb fertilizer to nourish the bulb. The roots should be untangled and the bulb placed in the hole with the roots spread out around the bulb. Next, the hole should be refilled with soil and packed tightly around the bulb. The bulb should be watered well. Watering should continue throughout the fall to ensure the roots are thriving.

In climates which experience frost, mulch should be used to insulate the ground where the bulb is planted. If several lilies are to be planted, they should be spaced at least eight inches apart to ensure each plant has plenty of room for the roots to grow. Different types of lilies might require even more space between bulbs, so care should be taken to review the exact specifications for the species to be planted.

Caring for a Lily

Caring for a lily involves:

• Watering


• Fertilizing


• Mulching


• Weeding.

When lilies are in bloom, they require only about one inch of water per week to thrive. When they are not in bloom, they require more water to assist the roots in developing. If watering the lilies by hand, water the base of the plant because water accumulating on the flowers may result in disease.

A lily should be fertilized twice annually, ideally in early fall and spring. Watering the lily sufficiently after sprinkling a small amount of bulb fertilizer near the base of the plant will ensure the nutrients reach the roots.

Keeping the areas around lilies free of weeds is essential because weeds can rob the roots of the lily of vital nutrients. Mulch can be used to control the spread of weeds as well as an insulator to protect the lily from frost.

By Mary Stasiewicz