How to Divide Tiger Lilies

It's fall, and your tiger lilies have long since bloomed and begun to die back. The leaves have turned to a dry papery brown. It is time to divide your tiger lilies to ensure that next year's garden is as beautiful and dramatic as this year's has been.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors or clippers Garden spade Trowel Rose mulch Compost Water

Instructions

1. 

   Deadhead flowers that have begun to die. This forces the plant's energies back into root production. Trim dried leaves to within four inches of the ground. Add trimmed tiger lily leaves to your compost pile. The tiger lilies pictured here are overgrown and in need of division if this beautiful display is to continue into another season.

2. 

   Dig very carefully around the main cluster of tiger lily bulbs. Place a shovel about 8 inches from the main cluster. Dig as deep as you can, and try to go under the plant before lifting it from the ground. If your cluster is mature, you should see a large central bulb surrounded by a number of smaller bulbs. If your tiger lilies are in their first or second season, however, you will see fewer and smaller bulbs.

3. Break smaller bulbs away from the main bulb first. Usually, these can be brushed or shaken away from the main bulb as you break the rootlets which attach them. Save the tiniest bulbs, with their greens, for later. Break the larger bulb cluster into two or more smaller clusters, depending on the size. Each cluster should be no more than palm size and have plenty of rootlets.

4. Replant all the larger bulb clusters in groups of three, five, or seven, at least 1 foot apart. Planting in odd numbered groupings makes a more natural floral display. Be sure to add mulch and compost to your soil at this time. Cover the flower bed with a mesh weed barrier, newspapers or burlap coffee sacks to discourage weeds and pests, leaving small openings in the covering for next year's plant to grow through. Water well.

5. 

   Eat the smallest tiger lily buds. Dried tiger lily buds are used in hot and sour soup and many stir fry recipes. Go to cinnybear.wordpress.com for the recipe for tiger lily bud, edamame and shrimp stir fry.

Resources

• Lily Propagation
• Eating Tiger Lily Bulbs
• Herbs and Spices: Tiger Lily Bulbs