The beauty of Easter lilies

by Lynn Rodell
Tuesday, March 25, 2008 9:24 AM MDT

The Easter lily, or lilium longiflorum, has become a traditional symbol of beauty, hope and life at the Easter season.

You can attempt to plant these flowering lilies outdoors in Casper once warmer temperatures arrive. Most growers of Easter lilies claim they are hardy from Zone 5n10; we typically are considered Zone 4. But, with some winter care and luck, you may have a beautiful lily in the garden next summer.

Like most Master Gardeners, I hate to discard any plant, and have tried planting my Easter lily in my garden for years. I have been rewarded for my efforts a few times n but not always.

These beautiful plants are native to the Ryukyu Islands in southern Japan. Today, more than 95 percent of all Easter lily bulbs are grown in the U.S., and the fourth largest potted plant crop in the U.S. is the Easter lily.

Selection, as is with all potted plants, is very important. Choose a well-balanced plant with rich green leaves that are dense and plentiful from the soil up.

If you can select a hybrid that may be a bit hardier than the lilium longiflorum, you will definitely be able to successfully grow it in your garden. Avoid plants that look wilted, as it may be a sign of disease.

In your home, an Easter lily should be placed near a window that gets bright, indirect daylight. Lilies prefer cooler temperatures, somewhere between 60-65 degrees during the day and slightly cooler at night.

Avoid placing lilies near hot or cold drafts, keep the soil medium moist and water only when the surface is dry. Avoid over-watering and do not let the plant stand in water.

When the flowers start to fade, cut them off. Once all the flowers are gone, continue to water and keep in a sunny location until you can plant outside, when all danger of frost is past.

Easter lilies are highly toxic to cats, and this may be something to consider before you plant. Also, remember that a typical Easter lily is only semi-hardy (Zone 5-10), but there are more hardy hybrids available.

In your garden, plant the bulb in well-drained garden soil in a sunny location. Good drainage is the key to success.

Plant the bulb six inches deep from the base of the bulb to the top of the mulched soil. Spread the roots out and down and leave at least 12n18 inches around the plant.

You should water immediately after finishing planting. It is strongly recommended that at least two inches of organic mulch be placed above bulbs, keeping the soil moist and cool.

As the original plant begins to turn brown and die back, cut if off just above a healthy leaf on the stem. You may be rewarded with a second blooming this summer, but most likely you will have to wait until next June or July to see if your lily has survived in your garden.

In the fall, when the stalks have turned yellow, cut them back just above soil level and add a generous layer of winter mulch that will not blow away.

During the spring, carefully remove the added winter mulch and fertilize with a fast-release fertilizer, then patiently wait to see if you are one of the lucky Wyomingites who have an Easter lily growing in your garden.

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