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Lilies are gentle, beautiful flowers that come in a wide array of sizes, shapes, and colors. They make wonderful additions to any garden, indoor or outdoor.
Read on – In this guide we’ll look at the basics of planting, growing, and propagating your own lilies from start to finish.
(Or, if you prefer, you can head over to our guide about cultivating black roses, instead.)
Why You Should Cultivate Lilies in Your Garden
Lilies are iconic flowers that can easily be grown in home gardens. They have a cheerful and vibrant appearance, making them perfect for adding a beautiful touch to any outdoor space.
Aside from their gorgeous look, there are also several other reasons why you should consider cultivating lilies in your garden. Here are some of the benefits of this captivating flower:
Adds Color to Any Outdoor Space
One of the main reasons why people decide to grow lilies is because of their colorful petals. This flower has an unmistakable beauty that adds a vivid pop of color to gardens, patios, and even walkways!
Plus, since they’re easy to grow and require minimal effort for harvesting, you can always have an abundance on hand in your outdoor space.
Attracts Beneficial Insects
Another great benefit of cultivating lilies is that they attract beneficial pollinating insects like bees and butterflies. These insects help keep gardens flourishing by aiding in the spread of pollen from one flower to another.
As an added bonus, these flowers don’t require any special ingredients or chemicals—just plant them in your outdoor space for an effective way to bring life into your yard!
Long-Lasting Blooms
The unmistakable sight of blooming lilies is both cheerful and calming at the same time.
Their vibrant petals remain open in different shades until cut or dried out, making them ideal as container plants or borders around patios or walkways where their eye-catching beauty can be enjoyed daily.
Easy To Grow
The best part about growing lilies? It’s incredibly easy!
All you need is some soil with good drainage capabilities, plenty of sun (a minimum of 6 hours per day), water regularly (but not too much), and that’s all—nothing else required!
This flower will start producing its attractive blooms quickly; before long you can enjoy colorful bouquets throughout the summer months without much effort at all!
With so many amazing advantages to growing these delightful flowers, there’s no better time than now to cultivate some lilies in your garden!
Steps to Successfully Cultivating Lilies
Planting Lilies
1. When planting lilies directly in the soil, dig a hole about twice as deep as the bulb’s length and several inches wider than its circumference to ensure good drainage.
2. Add a few inches of compost as an amendment before placing your bulbs
3. Refill with loose soil or potting mix until slightly mounded over the top – they should be planted just below the surface (about one inch) and four inches apart.
4. Water them regularly after planting (enough to keep the root zone well-hydrated).
Pro tip: be careful when cultivating around these plants as their roots can easily be severed by sharp instruments such as rakes and shovels during maintenance!
Caring for Growing Lilies
Lilies require full sun for best results but will tolerate partial shade; however, you may need to stake taller varieties to prevent damage from strong winds or heavy rain storms.
Once established you don’t need to water them too frequently but bring it up a bit when temperatures reach 80 °F or above/during dry spells & ensure all foliage is adequately hydrated for optimal health benefits.
Additionally, fertilize your lily plants during Spring with a mild balanced fertilizer such as 10–10–10 or 8–8–8 every two weeks while they’re actively growing – avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which can burn tender roots!
Propagating Lilies
Propagation is an easy process:
1. Collect healthy stems in mid-summer when their flower heads have drooped
2. Dig out the root ball that’s connected to each stem.
3. Plant multiple stems at least 2 feet apart in well-draining fertile soil (similar process to regular planting)
4. Cut off dead foliage and water thoroughly every week until new growth begins emerging – typically one month or so after planting.
Depending on variety some may take longer so keep an eye out for new shoots coming up around your planted lily stems!
Harvesting and Storing Lilies
1. When it comes time for harvesting most lily varieties can be cut using shears or scissors near their base taking care not to sever the entire stem completely since leaving one inch of stem still attached helps promote better reblooming performance!
2. Place cut flowers immediately into room-temperature water
3. Make sure all floral debris has been removed from above and below the water line – otherwise, bacteria growth will form quickly compromising both the life span and beauty of your flowers!
4. Make sure to keep them away from direct sunlight and excessive moisture for extra longevity – if stored correctly fresh lily flower arrangements can last up to 3 weeks (or more!).
Pro tip: add a bit of all-purpose flower food to your flower vase’s water to prolong the freshness of your cut lilies for a few days longer.
A Final Word About Cultivating Lilies Plants
Growing beautiful vibrant lilies doesn’t have to be hard work – by following these simple steps you can easily enjoy plenty of stunning blooms conveniently right outside your door!
Share your experiences here after trying out this guide – or any questions or comments you happen to have, we would love to hear from you!
Suggested Reading: Cultivating Lavender: Guide to Planting, Caring, and Harvesting
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