The first leaves are turning colorful. Autumn is approaching with certain steps. But what will happen to the lilies now? Do they survive the winter without protection or do they have to be hibernated?
Are lilies hardy?
Most lily species are hardy and do not require any special protection in winter. These include, for example, Asian, oriental, trumpet and tiger lilies. However, more sensitive varieties such as Inca or Madonna lilies should be overwintered.
Most lilies are hardy
Most commercially available lily species are hardy. They neither need protection in winter nor do they have to be brought indoors. But there are a few types of lilies that are considered sensitive and should be overwintered as a precaution, especially in cooler locations. These include, for example, the Alsca lily and the Madonna lily.
Lilies hardy in this country
But which lilies in this country are prepared for the winter and don't necessarily need protection? The most important types of lilies that can be classified as hardy are listed here:
- Asian Lily
- Oriental Lily
- Chinese Mountain Lily
- Trumpet Lily
- Nepal Lily
- Canada Lily
- Toad Lily
- Turkish Lily
- Tree lily
- Fire Lily
- Tiger Lily
- Royal Lily
- Panther Lily
- Ruby lily
Winter wetness damages every lily
While most lilies are not afraid of frost, moisture causes them distress. Winter wetness in particular is extremely damaging to these plants. Therefore, lilies are best planted in soil with good drainage. In winter they are covered with brushwood in the root area to protect them from moisture.
Precautionary measures don't hurt: This is how lilies are overwintered
Especially if your lilies are in a rough location, it is advisable to protect them. Lilies in the open field, such as in the garden bed, are overwintered as follows:
- cut off withered flowers or seeds (takes energy)
- Cut the leaves as soon as they turn yellow to brown
- Apply humus over the root area
- place brushwood or straw over the humus
Dig up and house lily bulbs
It is even safer to dig up the lily bulbs and overwinter them at home, in the basement, in the garage, in the attic or in the garden shed. To do this, the first step is to cut down the flower heads and wait for the leaves to yellow.
Next, the bulbs are dug up and freed from any remaining soil. After the bulbs have been air-dried for 2 days, they are placed in a wooden box or pot with soil, sand or sawdust.
Overwintering lilies from the balcony
Lilies that are in pots should be cut down in the fall and placed indoors. This is important so that the soil in the pot does not freeze. This would destroy the bulbs. Alternatively, the pot can be left outside, placed against a protective wall, on a wooden block and wrapped with foil.
Tips & Tricks
So that the lilies survive the winter well, they should no longer be heavily fertilized after July. At best, a subtle application of fertilizer can be made in August to provide the onions with nutrients for the coming year.
