Flower finesse: Ensuring your lilies rebloom season after season

Lilies are extraordinary plants with beautiful flowers. However, their downside is their extremely short blooming period. However, there is a trick that ensures colourful petals will grace the stems again next season.

Lilies are known for their large, showy flowers that come in various colours, from white to pink to red and orange. They bloom on tall, straight stems that can reach up to 1.5 metres in height. Lily flowers have six petals, and their shape can vary from trumpet-like to cup-shaped. 

Although lilies are considered easy to care for, they require well-drained, fertile soil and a sunny or partially shaded location. Avoid places where water accumulates because excess moisture can lead to bulb rot. Regular watering, especially during dry periods, and proper fertilization are crucial for the healthy growth of these beautiful plants. 

Lilies usually bloom from late spring to early summer, sometimes even late summer, depending on the variety. Lilies typically fade after 2-3 weeks of blooming. Observing the flowers and removing spent blooms is essential to prevent seed formation, which can weaken the plant.

If you have garden lilies, you must be careful not to let them dry out. Remember to water regularly during high heat. Otherwise, the plant may lose all its petals overnight.

After blooming garden lilies, remove only the wilted flowers, leaving the green stems. They are essential for regenerating the bulbs after blooming and preparing the plant for winter. Only in late autumn, when the stems have completely yellowed, cut them low to the ground. At the end of the growing season, a phosphorus-rich fertilizer is also worth applying, which will help in flower formation for the following year.

It should be mentioned that digging up lilies for winter is not a necessity. This plant usually tolerates low temperatures well, but it is worth protecting it, e.g. with straw or mulch. The exception is delicate oriental lilies, which should be dug up in autumn and the bulbs stored in appropriate conditions.