How to Plant Pink Lily Bulbs

Pink lilies are some of the most brilliant and beautiful lilies there are. Pink lilies are used in assortments for Mother's Day, weddings and newborn baby girls. These lilies are versatile with other flowers such as roses and tulips and offer fragrant doses that illuminate your outdoor garden in the spring.

Planting pink lilies can be simple, the bulb itself allows for perennial growth and effortless blossoms. When planting, remember to choose your lily bulbs in mid September to the middle of October. Planting them before the initial frost is proper to ensure the best spring blooms possible.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Handheld shovel
• Watering can
• Cultivator
• Garden gloves
• Optional: bulb planter

Preparing the Soil

1. Choose an area that allows six to eight hours of constant sunlight throughout the bulk of the day. Resist areas that are prone to standing water, especially if rainfall is adequate in your climate.

2. Water the soil until it looks well hydrated. Dry soil will only lead to possible death of the bulb, or a weakened production of the lily itself.

3. Use a cultivator to loosen the soil to a depth of five to six inches. Some lily varieties are able to do well in only one inch of depth; however, most require six inches.

Using a Planter

4. Place bulb within a bulb planter or auger with root tip down.

5. Shove into the ground at the desired depth, digging prior to using a planter is not a required.

6. Release bulb into the soil, replacing any soil back into the bulb hole. Make sure soil remains moist.

Using a Shovel

7. Dig to the desired depth your bulb requires.

8. Place bulb into hole, root side down.

9. Cover with moist soil, loosely to encourage proper root growth.

Harsh Winter Climates

10. Prepare soil and plant as listed in the previous three sections, with the exception of planting slightly sooner. Aim for early September at the latest.

11. Keep ground moist and loose to give roots plenty of room for when frost arrives.

12. Cover with a six-inch layer of mulch, composed with wood chips, fallen leaves and other various yard trimmings.

Tips & Warnings

• Proper sunlight and moisture levels are important when growing any type of flower. Pink lilies are often hardy and exceptional growers, yet you must take great care to ensure they remain healthy and strong. Asiatic and oriental hybrids are the most hardy varieties, often capable of withstanding various temperature fluxes.
• Always wear the proper garden gloves for your job. When planting, use gloves that resist moisture and can protect against insect and spider bites. Lily bulbs do not grow entirely dormant. For this reason, if you store your bulbs for any amount of time before planting, store them in a wet compound of sawdust. Try to plant as soon as possible to avoid killing off the bulb.

References

• Planting Lilies
• Choosing your lilies
• Hardy lilies