— Cultural Vustruetions 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 dig a round hole to a depth 
of eighteen inches and width of twelve inches and fill the hole 
with six inches of gravel on the bottom and a mixture of one half 
sandy loam, one-fourth leafmold and one-fourth river sand. 
Place some extra sand under and around the bulb and take care 
not to damage the roots. 
Sun or Shades: Lilies need sunlight, at least until 2 P.M. Filtered 
sunlight or semi-shade may bring out the more delicate colors, 
but they tend to make weak stems and soft flowers. Do not plant 
near house walls, walks or drives that reflect sun light 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 Groundeover: Lilies are gross feeders and root deeply. 
They need a porous, well-aerated soil, rich in humus and well- 
balanced plant food. They like a good mulch of well-rotted cow 
manure, rich compost or decaying leafmold, and this can be ap- 
plied 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 beneficial. 
Do not expect your lilies to compete with strong-growing peren- 
nials or shrubs. 
Cutting Flowers: Like all plants, lilies need their stems and foli- 
age to build for next year’s growth. Cutting the flowers only, pre- 
venting them from setting seed, is beneficial. Cutting the foli- 
age is harmful in direct proportion to the amount taken. Cutting 
stems with foliage year after year will definitely kill the plant. 
Please turn page 
