What To Do With Lilies Over Winter?
Overwintering Lilies: All You Need To Know
Lilies are one of the most beloved flowers of summer, and they can bring a lovely touch of color and elegance to any garden or landscape design. While many people think that when autumn arrives it’s time for their beloved plants to be tucked away until spring, this doesn’t have to be the case! Knowing how to properly overwinter your lily bulbs will ensure that you can enjoy these beauties year-round, no matter what your climate may be like. So what is the best way to go about overwintering your lily bulbs? Let’s find out!
What Are Lilies?
Lilies are members of the genus Lilium, which includes around 110 species of bulbous flowering plants that can be found throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, ranging from dwarf varieties as short as 6 inches tall up to full-sized 6 foot tall varieties! Their blooms range from single petals up to multiple petals, and they come in shades of white, yellow, orange, red, purple, and more!
How To Care For Lilies In Winter
Overwintering your lily bulbs is an important step in ensuring that you get beautiful blooms each year, no matter what the weather may be like outside! The process for caring for your lily bulbs during their dormant period will vary slightly depending on whether you are growing them indoors or outdoors – so let’s take a look at both scenarios!
When To Move Lillies Indoors
If you live in an area where temperatures drop below freezing during the winter months then it is important that you move your potted lillies into a frost-free area indoors before the cold weather arrives.
This could either be an unheated garage or shed, or even a bright room inside your home where temperatures remain consistently above freezing (around 50°F). If you are growing your potted lillies outside then this step isn’t necessary – but it is still recommended if possible as it will help protect them from any unexpected late frosts or extreme weather conditions!
Benefits Of Keeping Lillies Indoors In Winter
When you move your potted lillies indoors during the winter months it will help keep them safe from any extreme weather conditions such as heavy snowfall or unexpected late frosts that could damage or even kill them off completely if left outdoors unprotected! Additionally, by moving them indoors you can also make sure that they receive plenty of light which is essential for growth and flowering come springtime!
Tips For Overwintering Lillies Indoors
When overwintering your potted lillies indoors there are several key steps you should take in order to ensure their health and vitality come springtime:
1) Make sure they are getting enough light – Ideally choose an area near a south facing window where they can receive at least 8 hours of direct sunlight each day,
2) Water sparingly – Only water when the soil begins to dry out (about once every two weeks),
3) Fertilize lightly – Use a balanced fertilizer every two months, and
4) Keep temperatures consistent – Aim for temperatures between 45-55°F (7-13°C).
What To Do With Potted Lillies Over Winter
If you have decided to move your potted lillies into an unheated space such as a garage or shed during the winter months then there are some additional steps you should take in order to ensure their health:
1) Make sure there is enough air circulation – A fan set on low speed can help circulate air throughout the space.
2) Check for pests regularly – Keep an eye out for any signs of pests such as aphids or spider mites and treat accordingly.
3) Protect from frost – If temperatures are expected to dip below freezing cover pots with blankets or burlap bags.
4) Cut back foliage – Once all danger of frost has passed cut back foliage by half its size so new growth can emerge come springtime!
What To Do With Bare Root Lillies Over Winter
If you have decided not to move your bare root lillies into an unheated space such as a garage or shed during the winter months then there are some additional steps you should take in order to ensure their health:
1) Plant outdoors if possible – Planting bare root bulbs outdoors before the frost arrives will help insulate them from any extreme weather conditions,
2) Plant in well-draining soil – Make sure soil drains well so excess moisture won’t cause rot,
3) Mulch heavily with compost – Mulching with compost will help insulate roots from cold temperatures,
4) Cover with mulch if necessary – If temperatures drop below freezing cover soil with mulch such as straw or leaves.
5) Cut back foliage when danger of frost has passed – Once all danger of frost has passed cut back foliage by half its size so new growth can emerge come springtime!
How To Protect Outdoor Lillies From Frost?
If temperatures drop below freezing while your outdoor planted bare root bulbs are still actively growing then there are several steps you can take in order to protect them:
1) Cover soil with mulch such as straw or leaves.
2) Place plastic sheeting over top.
3) Use fabric row covers over top if necessary.
4) Place lights beneath fabric covers if possible (this will help keep soil warm).
When To Replant Overwintered Lillies
Once all danger of frost has passed it’s time for replanting those overwintered bulbs into their permanent spots outdoors! This should be done carefully using gloves if necessary so as not to damage any fragile roots – once planted give them plenty of water and watch as those beautiful blooms begin emerging again come springtime!
Conclusion
Lily bulbs don’t have to go away when fall rolls around – proper care during their dormant period (otherwise known as overwintering!) will ensure that these beauties return each year no matter what kind of climate you live in! Whether planting outdoors or moving potted or bare root varieties indoors during cold weather months – following these tips will help guarantee healthy blooms come springtime!
