skip to main content

Can I plant my Lilies now?

18 years ago

I'm getting ready to plant 75 lily bulbs (Orientals and Asiatics) and everything I've read says the ground needs to be around 60 degrees. We're supposed to have temps in the 60's all week, can I plant my bulbs now or should I wait a few more weeks? Thanks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

mysticmoon
18 years ago
Plant now and mulch over you are likely to get colder weather soon. I have already planted mine a month ago lol could not wait that long.. good luck an extras pass my way lol J/k
Toni
LaLeeLuna
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks for the info. I know it's a lot of lilies but I'm putting them on all sides of my house to see where they work the best. Depending on which side of the house you're on I have everything from dought to marshland and not enough sun anywhere so this is all experimental. Thanks again.
Related Discussions
Can I lift my lilies now?
Q
Comments (4)
Hi Caryn, Where you live your immediate problem will be digging up the frozen ground. Besides being frozen rock hard, (got a jackhammer?) you won't be able to feel around through loosened dirt with your hands to gently find the bulbs and roots. Breaking apart frozen soil will snap off the roots. The bulbs will still grow, (afterall spring ordered bulbs won't be mailed out for a couple months) but blooming will be set back and possibly reduced (as the bulb uses energy to grow new roots). But since you're moving you'll have to dig them up as carefully as you can under the circumstances. I'd try to dig up a LARGE circle around them, and haul the frozen soil into a moderate temperature area (say garage or basement), let it thaw out and then separate the bulbs from the excess soil. But don't keep them warm (above 40-50) for too long. Your bulbs have adapted to cold temperatures for awhile now, you want to be sure they don't "think its spring" and start sprouting. Are you moving some place in the same zone (with ground just as frozen)? If so, and the ground in your new garden is unworkable refrigerate the bulbs in some just moist peat moss until you can get them back into the ground. Right now MA is probably under some snow and cold temps. I'd wait for the first somewhat warm spell (40's and up) which will make planting them a lot easier but won't induce spring growth. Like Riz says you should watch for sprouts, just in case, but in your area (its probably been in the 20's at night) they probably haven't started much, if any, sprouting growth at this time. But it doesn't hurt to be careful. The east coast was so unseasonably warm just a few weeks ago, my snowdrops already bloomed and my daffodils are up 4 inches. Who knows what those lilies were doing! Good Luck :) -Helen
...See More
What can I plant with my lilies?
Q
Comments (1)
Lavendar, rosemary, sedum medium growers that aren't invasive.
...See More
Planting Oriental Lily bulbs now in my Southern Cali garden?
Q
Comments (5)
The Stargazers will require about 400 hours of chill/vernalization at a temperature of about 35 degrees F to assure a good bloom next spring. Lilium bulbs dug and sold for Fall planting (which I assume these were) are not prechilled; bulbs shipped in March/April for Spring Planting are prechilled by the seller. So, about a month in the fridge should do. Watch to make sure they stay just a little moist--don't let them dry out because lily bulbs don't have a protective shell like tulips do. And then plant them right along with your tulips. In your zone 9, Stargazers may or may not require an annual refigerator vernalization for a good bloom--see how they flower in 2013; and decide from there. If you have further questions about lilies in particular don't hesitate to ask. Good Luck!
...See More
Did I amend my soil correctly? And can I plant two limelight now?
Q
Comments (2)
Research suggests that shrubs adjust best if not planted in amended soil, that they should be just in native soil since then there aren't issues with texture changes causing problems with water movement in the soil. You can top dress or amend the entire planting bed if it seems needed, but just amending the planting hole isn't ideal. So I wouldn't worry about what the lady at the nursery said. Here are directions for planting trees, but the same things apply to shrubs.
...See More
mysticmoon
18 years ago
Oh wow so sorry you can have our sun lol.. I get way to much here. I really know that the sky is blue. No clouds really either not till it gets a lot colder. Good luck just keep an eye on that area encase it floods they might not do so well under them conditions...
hld6
18 years ago
Hi LaLeeLuna,
As long as you haven't bought "confused bulbs" (those not dug up this season) you shouldn't have a problem with early sprouting now. And that's an uncommon case since lilies don't go fully dormant and so don't store well without proper care.

The bigger problem in our zone is an unseasonably warm spell in the middle or even late winter. Having had a cold period first, the bulbs think its spring and sprout - only to be nailed by the following frost. To help prevent this, plant your bulbs deep (8"-10"). Most lilies are stem rooting and need the depth for that anyways, but another advantage is that deeper soil has more moderate temp swings. It also helps prevent snacking by hungry winter squirrels! A heavy mulch provides additional insulation - just be sure in damp, shady, or heavily planted areas to pull the mulch back in the spring and keep a look out for slugs. Slugs can have a nice little feast on new lily shoots before you even know the plants are coming up.

But, for the most part, oriental and asiatic lilies are pretty tough plants and will grow in less than ideal conditions. Good Luck with your experiment!

-Helen

Related Stories

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: 20 Gorgeous Perennials to Plant Now

By The Estate of Things

Take advantage of warm spring weather to create a colorful garden with blooming plants, succulents and ornamental grasses

KITCHEN DESIGN Trending Now: 25 Kitchen Photos Houzzers Can’t Get Enough Of

By Mitchell Parker

Use the kitchens that have been added to the most ideabooks in the last few months to inspire your dream project

FLOWERS Great Design Plant: Lilies

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Try these delightfully exotic stunners for paintbox colors, deep fragrance and intricately detailed petals

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Canna 'Pretoria'

By Annie Thornton

Plant this showstopping lily in your garden now for the lush feel of a tropical landscape all summer long

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 5 Berry-licious Shrubs to Plant Now for Winter Interest

Showy color during snow season? You bet. These shrubs will wake up a garden with colorful berries when other plants are asleep

MORE ROOMS Kids' Rooms: I'm A Big Boy Now

By Erika Ward - Erika Ward Interiors

Ideas for Transitioning Your Son From the Nursery

URBAN GARDENS Plant a Garden That Can Move With You

By Steve Taylor

Think mobile when planning your outdoor space and you can enjoy it wherever you move next

THE POLITE HOUSE The Polite House: Can I Put a Remodel Project on Our Wedding Registry?

Find out how to ask guests for less traditional wedding gifts

ORGANIZING Ideabook 911: How Can I Declutter My Space?

By Becky Harris

10 Steps to Take Toward Minimalism

LIFE The Polite House: How Can I Tell a Construction Crew to Pipe Down?

If workers around your home are doing things that bother you, there’s a diplomatic way to approach them

Sponsored

4 Reviews

Westerville's Top Craftsman & Exceptional Quality Tile & Stone

More Discussions

My Easter Lily is resprouting - what should I do?

2

What are some neat ways to decorate my growing plant?

8