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Accidentally dug up and forgot Madonna lily

linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)

17 years ago

While digging up thistles DH accidentally dug up my only Madonna Lily. This has been in place for quite a few years, but has had a juniper gradually overgrowing it. Since already exposed I decide this was a good time to move it. I found several good sized bulbs in the hole. I carried one to the back yard and just realized that I forgot it! I left it laying where I wanted to plant it. Is it a goner? I think I remember they are touchier than other lilies. Plus I left the hole exposed where it came from, with the other bulbs there.

Geez... I feel like an idiot...it's supposed to be warmer tomorrow, maybe I can rescue it if I haven't killed it.

What conditions do they like, compared to "regular" lilies? Can I plant in dappled shade? Dry or "less dry" shade?

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Comments (2)

hld6
17 years ago
Hi linnea56
The main differences are soil type and planting depth. They need basic soil (intolerant of acidic soil) and must be planted with only a 1/2" or so of soil above the top of the bulb. They don't have a reputation as a shade tolerant lily and also like good drainage. So dry is OK but dry shade NOT OK. A sunny bed near masonry (that hasn't been amended with peat moss or other acidic materials) should work well. Basically they are the opposite of azaleas/rhododendrons. So where those plants do poorly candidum should do well.

Candidum is supposed to be planted earlier in the fall then other lilies. They need the time to send up a rosette of leaves that overwinters. In zone 5 you don't have much warm weather left so a sheltered spot on the warm side of the house might be your best bet. The good news though is that you probably haven't killed them, but they might go dormant this year and go AWOL or underperform this spring. Also, since you've had them awhile they should be reasonable sized bulbs which will help them weather this "oops" in handling.

Good Luck!
-Helen
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
Original Author
17 years ago
I found a sheltered location as you suggested, in a nook where 2 house walls meet. The bulbs were still firm; as a matter of fact, the dug up one that I had left laying on the dirt had put out some new roots- attempting to plant itself!

I'll keep my fingers crossed. I like them mostly because of their history: I'm an ancient history buff.
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