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Lilies produce from bulbs and need to be divided and transplanted in the fall for the best results. Experts say late September or early October is when to move lilies. Immediately start transplanting lily bulbs once they have been lifted.
When should Asiatic lilies be transplanted?
Answer: Early fall is an excellent time to dig and divide Asiatic, Oriental, and other garden lilies (Lilium spp). Carefully dig up the clump and separate the bulbs. Replant the bulbs immediately.
How do you transplant Asiatic lilies?
Place your mature Asiatic lily plant in the soil, in a hole at least twice the diameter of the root ball and at least as deep as the root ball. Slip the plant out of its nursery pot, and place the intact root ball into the prepared hole, maintaining the same soil level on the plant stem.
Can you transplant Asiatic lilies in the spring?
You can transplant Asiatic lilies in the spring. However, spring is the start of the lilies’ growing season. If you transplant them in the spring, you may interfere with their growth, and they may not flower during the summer because the bulbs didn’t have time to become acclimated to the soil.
Do Asiatic lilies spread?
Asian lilies, Oriental Lilies, Tiger Lilies, and American hybrids all can be propagated in the garden. When cared for and left to themselves, lilies will quickly spread out and can fill a garden bed over the period of a few seasons. Early fall is a good time to propagate lilies.
What to do when Asiatic lilies have finished flowering?
Lily flowers should be removed as soon as they fade. Blooms left in place will produce seed, which diverts energy from flower production and plant growth. The flowers can be cut or pinched off. Alternatively, cut the stalks when the blooms first open and use them in floral arrangements.
Can you transplant Asiatic lilies in the summer?
Although not impossible, transplanting during summer growth is a bit more difficult to achieve with good results. Lily bulbs grow ONE stem per year; if that stem is broken off your bulb will not be able to rebuild its girth before winter.
Do Asiatic lilies multiply?
Asiatic lilies aren’t fussy and they thrive in nearly any type of well-drained soil. The bulbs multiply quickly and can double every year.
Do Asiatic lilies need a lot of sun?
Asiatic lilies are a breeze to grow and maintain, and they tend to come back and multiply year after year. Asiatic lily bulbs can be planted in the spring or fall. Like other lilies, Asiatic lilies prefer well-drained sandy or loamy soil and plenty of sunshine—about 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily.
Can you divide Asiatic lilies in the spring?
Allow the plants that still have foliage to remain intact as long as possible. You also don’t have to divide each year. Planting Asiatic lilies in spring or early fall is also done, particularly if you are planting Asiatic lilies in pots.
How many times will Asiatic lilies bloom?
As with most bulbs, lilies only bloom once per year. They need a cool winter dormancy period of at least 8 weeks in order to reinitiate the flowering cycle. Each plant blooms 2 – 3 weeks out of the year. By selecting varieties with staggered bloom season, it is possible to cover the entire summer (June – August).
Can you repot Asiatic lilies?
When replanting lilies grown in containers, they may require separation and replanting into new pots as they grow, or you may wish to replant your potted lily outdoors. Either way, your lily can thrive with the proper planting and care. Lilies grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8.
How do you keep Asiatic lilies blooming all summer?
Spread mulch over your Asiatic lilies. Once planted, place 2-3 inches of any type of organic mulch over the planting area. Make sure your Asiatic lilies have “cool feet.” In other words, the roots should be protected from the hot sun that the blooms of the lilies love so much.
Should you deadhead Asiatic lilies?
When the blossoms begin to fade, deadhead Asiatic lilies to help the plants continue to thrive. Watch the Asiatic lilies carefully while they bloom so you will notice when the blooms begin to fade. Removing the faded blooms will help keep the lilies’ energy on blooming and not on producing seeds.
How far apart do you plant Asiatic lilies?
Asiatic Lilies Plant them 8 in. deep (20 cm) and 8 in. apart (20 cm). If you do not intend to lift the bulbs at the end of the season and decide to leave them undisturbed for 2-3 years, allow 12 in. (30 cm) to make room for the increasing number of bulbs.
How do you divide Asiatic lilies?
Spray the Asiatic lily bulbs with a garden hose to remove excess soil, then divide the bulbs by carefully pulling and twisting them apart. Discard the old, woody clump of bulbs at the center of the plant and save the small bulbs for replanting. Be sure each small bulb has several visible roots.
Does lilies come back every year?
With large, showy blooms, lilies add striking elegance in the garden from early to midsummer. Grown from bulbs, these perennial flowers are best planted in the autumn and will return year after year with minimal care—as long as they’re planted in the right place. Learn more in our Lilies Growing Guide.
