Can You Plant Lily Bulbs in the Fall? A Guide to Autumn Planting for Beautiful Blooms

As summer winds down and fall approaches, many gardeners start thinking about planting bulbs. Fall is the ideal time to plant classic spring-blooming bulbs like tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. But what about lily bulbs? Can you plant lilies in the autumn too for flowering next year?

The answer is yes! Planting lily bulbs in the fall can lead to stunning results. With the right technique, you can enjoy bigger, more abundant lily blooms by planting the bulbs weeks before winter’s arrival.

In this guide, we’ll explain the benefits of fall planting for lilies and provide tips for success. Read on to learn when and how to plant lily bulbs in fall for a gorgeous flower display next summer.

Why Fall is an Excellent Time to Plant Lilies

Lily bulbs can be planted successfully in either spring or fall. But many gardeners are surprised to discover that autumn planting has some important advantages:

• Stronger Root Development: Bulbs planted in fall have 6-8 weeks of growth before going dormant for winter. This allows roots to become well established.

• Earlier Spring Emergence: Fall-planted lily bulbs often sprout and emerge earlier in spring once soil temperatures warm up.

• Bigger Blooms: The extensive fall root development coupled with quick spring emergence promotes taller, more robust plants and flowers.

• First Year Flowers: Most lily bulbs planted in fall will flower beautifully within a year, unlike bulbs planted in spring.

• Natural Cold Period: Lily bulbs require a period of cold winter temperatures to bloom their best. Planting in fall allows bulbs to experience this naturally.

• Convenience: Fall planting lets you knock out multiple gardening tasks efficiently as you put beds to bed for winter.

For all these reasons, planting lily bulbs in autumn is an excellent choice. Next let’s look at picking the best varieties for fall planting success.

Choosing the Best Lily Bulb Varieties for Fall

Many types of lilies thrive when planted in the fall, including:

• Asiatic Hybrids: The most popular type, with a wide color range. Blooms early to midsummer at 2-4 feet tall.

• Oriental Hybrids: Elegant, often fragrant late summer blooms. Grow 3-5 feet tall.

• Tiger Lilies: Hardy orange lilies with black spots. Bloom in midsummer at 3-6 feet tall.

• Turk’s Cap Lilies: Nodding blooms ideal for partial shade areas. Bloom late summer at 3-6 feet.

• Martagon Lilies: Whorled, dangling blooms in mid-late summer. Grow 2-5 feet tall.

When shopping for bulbs, select large, firm bulbs showing no signs of damage or rot. Now let’s look at where and how to plant lily bulbs properly in the fall.

Where and How to Plant Lily Bulbs in Fall

Follow these tips to pick the ideal planting site and use proper technique:

• Sun: Pick a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Morning sun is especially beneficial.

• Soil: Well-draining soil enriched with organic matter works best. Amend clay or sandy soils.

• Drainage: Avoid soggy sites prone to standing water which can rot bulbs.

• Spacing: Space bulbs 9-12 inches apart depending on mature plant width.

• Depth: Plant bulbs 3-4 times as deep as the bulb is tall. This gives roots winter protection.

• Technique: Loosen soil 12+ inches deep. Dig holes or trenches for bulbs. Place bulbs root-side down and backfill with soil. Water well after planting.

Proper depth is critical to shield bulbs from harsh winter cold. Don’t take shortcuts and plant too shallowly in fall.

Simple Fall Care for Newly Planted Lily Bulbs

Caring for your fall-planted lily bulbs through winter is easy:

• Watering: Water bulbs weekly if rainfall is lacking until ground freezes. Prevent soil drying out.

• Mulching: Apply 4-6 inches of mulch over planted areas to insulate soil from cold.

• Pest Protection: Check periodically that rodents haven’t disturbed planted bulbs. Replace any damaged ones promptly.

• Extra Protection: In very cold climates, temporarily cover beds with evergreen boughs for added insulation. Remove once soils thaw in spring.

• Spring Care: Resume weekly watering once soils thaw and bulbs start growing. Reduce frequency as plants establish. Apply organic fertilizer when growth begins.

The main focus is helping bulbs overwinter successfully. Then your normal spring and summer lily care takes over.

Stagger Fall Lily Bulb Plantings for Months of Blooms

An exciting strategy is to stagger fall plantings over several weeks. Early, mid and late-blooming lily varieties extend the bloom season dramatically:

• Early: Turk’s Cap, Asiatic early hybrids – plant in early fall

• Mid: Martagon, Speciosum, Henryi – plant in mid-fall

• Late: Oriental hybrids, Tiger Lilies – plant in late fall

Mixing planting dates from September through November results in lovely lilies over months, not just weeks.

Digging Up Lily Bulbs for Winter Storage in Cold Climates

In extremely cold regions, gardeners sometimes dig up fall-planted lily bulbs after the ground freezes and store them protected over winter to prevent loss. Here’s how:

• Allow ground to freeze hard before carefully digging and lifting bulbs.

• Brush off excess soil but don’t wash bulbs. Allow bulbs to dry 1-2 weeks in a shaded, well-ventilated spot.

• Store bulbs in breathable mesh bags or trays in a cool (35-45°F), dark spot like a basement or garage.

• Check bulbs regularly and discard any that are rotting or sprouting prematurely.

• Replant the stored bulbs in early spring once soil can be worked again.

Storing tender lily bulbs over winter is an option if you expect them to be vulnerable to cold damage when left in the ground.

Troubleshooting Issues with Fall-Planted Lily Bulbs

While fall lily bulb planting is usually successful, a few problems can pop up:

• No Blooms: May be caused by too shallow planting depth or insufficient moisture. Ensure proper depth and consistent watering.

• Small Flowers: Can result from planting too late in fall or selecting small bulbs. Plant earlier and choose large bulbs.

• Rotting Bulbs: Improving drainage prevents bulbs staying excessively wet and rotting.

• Rodent Damage: Deter mice, voles and squirrels by planting deeper, using protective cages or applying repellents.

• Foliar Diseases: Promote good air circulation and promptly remove affected leaves. Avoid overhead watering.

With some adjustments to care and technique, you can get fall-planted lily bulbs thriving and blooming their best.

Achieve Gorgeous Blooms by Planting Lily Bulbs in Fall

With the right planting time, technique, bulb varieties and follow-up care, planting lily bulbs in the fall often leads to remarkable results. The extra root development before winter coupled with early spring emergence means plants have impressive size and flower power.

Staggering fall planting dates extends the excitement of blooms over months instead of just weeks. Just with a little autumn planning, you’ll be rewarded with a standout lily display next summer. Give fall planting a try this year and enjoy the beautiful outcome!