CULTURAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR LILIES 
Soils and Location: Lilies must have perfect drainage such as a gentle 
slope can provide. Air drainage too is important, for a good breeze can 
keep many garden pests and diseases away. If your site is level and the 
soil heavy, then prepare raised beds for the bulbs. Take care not to dam- 
age the roots in planting. 
Sun or Shade: Lilies need sunlight, at least until 2 P. M. Filtered sun- 
light or semi-shade may bring out the more delicate colors, but they tend 
to make weak stems and soft flowers. Do not pliant near house walls, 
walks or drives that reflect sunlight or heat. 
Depth of Planting: L. candidum, “Cascade Strain” and “White Elf” should 
be planted with not more than one inch of settled soil over the top of the 
bulbs. All others need not more than four inches of soil over them. 
Mulch and Groundcover: Lilies are gross feeders and root deeply. They 
need a porous. well-aerated soil, rich in humus and well baianced plant 
food. They tike a good mulch of well-rotted cow manure, rich compost 
or decaying leafmold. and this can be applied several times during the 
growing season. The mulch keeps the soil cool, discourages weed growth 
and eliminates the need for surface cultivation which might hurt the stem 
roots. Shallow-rooted ground cover keeps the ground shaded and is hene- 
ficial. ae not expect your lilies to compete with strong-growing perennials 
or shrubs. 
Cutting Flowers: Like all plants lilies need their stems and foliage to 
build for next vear’s growth. Cutting the flowers only, preventing them 
from setting seed. is beneficial. Cutting the foliage is harmful in direct 
proportion to the amount taken. Cutting stems with foliage year after 
_year will definitely kill the plant. 
Fertilizers: Natural fertilizers. such as well-rotted cow manure, are ideal 
A handful of balanced fertilizer scattered over everv few feet. a nound of 
wood ashes per every twenty square feet, and such aDoplications reneated 
two or three times during the growing season. will heln to keev the lilies 
strong and healthy. If your soil and water are alkaline, then two or three 
times during the growing season scatter a pinch or two of agricultural 
sulphur over the soil surface and water it in. Peat moss, being slightly 
acid, is good for lilies. It provides an ideal medium for the stem roots 
when used as a mulch. 
On Arrival: Lily bulbs are never completely dormant. They must he re- 
ceived as soon as possible after digging, hence orders should be placed 
with your dealer as early as possible. If slightly limp after their long trip. 
nJace them in wet peat moss for a few days. They will soon freshen up 
and should then be planted immediately. Never plant new bulbs where 
other lilies have failed to grow and never plant in heavy, soggy soil. hey 
cannot be treated like tulip or daftodil puibs which can be dried out and 
80 completely dormant. Drainage is paramount. 
