Lily Mix

Your lily bulbs arrive dormant and ready to plant. Unpack them right away, keep them cool and dry, and get them in the ground as soon as your soil is workable.

Planting

1. Pick the site. Choose a spot with full sun to part shade and soil that drains freely; lilies rot in soggy ground.
2. Loosen the soil. Work the bed 10-12 in. deep and mix in compost to improve drainage and structure.
3. Set the depth. Plant bulbs 6-8 in. deep with the pointed end up and the roots fanned downward.
4. Space them out. Allow 9-12 in. between bulbs, or plant in clusters of 3-5 for the fullest look.
5. Water in. Backfill, firm gently, and soak the area thoroughly to settle the soil around the bulbs.
6. Mulch lightly. Add 2 in. of mulch to hold moisture and keep roots cool through summer.

Watering

• Stay evenly moist. Provide about 1 in. of water per week during active growth and bloom.
• Water at the base. Keep foliage and flowers dry to reduce leaf spotting.
• Ease off after bloom. Reduce watering once foliage begins to yellow in fall.

Feeding

• Feed at emergence. Apply a balanced granular fertilizer when shoots break ground in spring.
• Feed again at bud. A second light application as buds form supports bigger flowers.
• Skip high nitrogen. Too much nitrogen produces weak, floppy stems.

Pruning & Seasonal Care

• Deadhead spent blooms. Remove faded flowers so energy goes back into the bulb.
• Leave the leaves. Let stems and foliage stand until they turn brown, then cut to the ground.
• Stake tall stems. Support 5 ft. varieties in windy or exposed sites.
• Winter over. In zones 3-8 bulbs stay in the ground; add extra mulch in the coldest zones.

Container Growing

• Go deep. Use a pot at least 12-14 in. deep with drainage holes and quality potting mix.
• Group 3-5 bulbs. Plant them 6 in. deep for a full, upright display.
• Protect in winter. Move pots to an unheated garage or shelter in zones 3-5.

How many bulbs come in this mix and which lilies are included?

You receive 25 bulbs in assorted sizes. The blend includes Oriental, Asiatic, trumpet, tiger, and species lilies, so colors, flower shapes, and bloom times vary throughout the summer.

When will they bloom the first year?

Bulbs planted in spring typically bloom the same summer. Because the mix combines early, mid, and late types, expect flowers in waves from early to late summer rather than all at once.

Are lilies safe around pets?

No. True lilies are highly toxic to cats and can also cause illness in dogs if eaten. Plant them where pets do not browse, or choose another plant if you have cats with outdoor access.

Do deer and rabbits eat lilies?

Yes, lilies are a favorite of deer and rabbits. Use fencing, cages, or a repellent applied regularly in areas with heavy browsing pressure.

Do I need to dig the bulbs up for winter?

Not in zones 3 through 8. Leave them in the ground, cut back the dead foliage in late fall, and add a layer of mulch in the coldest zones. Container-grown bulbs should be sheltered in an unheated garage.

Will they come back and spread?

Yes. Lilies are perennial and multiply over time. Divide crowded clumps in fall every three to four years to keep flowering strong.