By Joanne Mendes
Overview
Asiatic lilies are hardy plants that are easy to grow and do well in colder climates. They are one of the more popular lily species because of the minimal care they require and the magnificent flowers they produce. The flowers are large, usually upward-facing trumpet shaped and come in a wide range of colors: translucent white, fiery reds, vibrant oranges and sunny yellows or in stunning color combinations. Asiatic lilies are easy to care for and require little attention.
Step 1
Pick an area to plant the Asiatic lilies. The plants do best in areas that receive direct sunlight. Choose a spot where rainwater will not pool, as standing water will cause the lily bulbs to rot and become diseased. Make sure the lilies have a lot of room to grow; some varieties of Asiatic lilies can grow as tall as 6 feet.
Step 2
Plant the Asiatic lily bulbs in the fall or spring. Dig a large hole that is about 2 to 4 inches deep for small bulbs and 4 to 6 inches deep for larger bulbs. Plant the bulbs in groups of 3 to 5, leaving approximately 12 inches between the small bulbs and 18 inches between larger bulbs. Place the bulbs root-side down in the hole and cover with soil. If planting the bulbs in fall, cover the soil with 4 to 6 inches of mulch or compost to keep the bulbs from freezing before they have a chance to root.
Step 3
Remove the mulch or compost in the spring when you see green shoots poking through. Remove the mulch gently, using your hands to scoop it away from the shoots as a rake can tear the shoots out of the ground. Replace the mulch or compost if there is a threat of frost, carefully recovering the entire shoot. When the threat of frost has passed, totally remove the mulch or compost from the lily shoots.
Step 4
Fertilize the lilies in the spring after the last frost. Use fertilizer that is high in phosphorus, preferably a 5--10--10 formula. Make sure not to over-fertilize as this can burn the lily's roots; a once-a-year slow release fertilizer formulated for outdoor flowers works best.
Step 5
Water Asiatic lilies in the morning, pouring the water at the plant's base. Watering the lilies at night or drenching the flowers and leaves can cause botrytis blight, a fungus that attacks the plant's leaves causing red-brown spots.
Step 6
Prune the dead flowers from the lily plant by snapping the flower off of the stem. Do not prune the stems or leaves. Cut back the leaves and stems in the fall after the first frost or wait until the early spring.
Step 7
Dig up the lily bulbs every 3 years in the fall after the plant has finished producing flowers. The bulbs will have multiplied, which causes stunted growth and fewer blooms. Divide the bulbs by slicing them apart with a sharp knife, taking care not to destroy the root base. Replant the bulbs the same as you would new bulbs.
How to Care for Asiatic Lilies by liliesofthefield.org