How to Plant Brodiaea Mountain Lilies

Mountain lilies are smaller than Asian or Oriental lilies.

Mountain lilies are small members of the lily family, and bear strap-shaped leaves with small lavender-blue or white flowers. The bushes grow to only 12 to 18 inches in height, so are much smaller than standard lilies, but require the same growing conditions as their larger, more famous cousins. Find the right site and prepare the soil for successful mountain lily planting and growing.

Things You'll Need

• Hand fork/spade
• Organic compost

Instructions

1. Plant Brodiaea mountain lily bulbs in early to midspring after the frost lifts, to give the bulbs time to grow and establish for their May to July blooming season.

2. Find a site where the mountain lilies will get bright sun all day, with protection from drying winds and free drainage. These bulbs rot and fail in puddled water, but will thrive in dry conditions.

3. Dig 2 inches of organic compost into the top 4 inches of soil to loosen the foundation for root growth, and to increase the drainage both to and around the mountain lily bulbs. Prepare a full bed for planting.

4. Plant Brodiaea mountain lily bulbs 3 to 4 inches deep, with their pointed ends up. Space five to seven bulbs evenly through 1 square foot for crowded, colorful blooming. Make sure that none of the bulbs are touching in their planting sites, though, as that will lead to rot.

5. Water the bulbs until the soil is wet to a depth of 4 inches.

Tips & Warnings

• Brodiaea mountain lilies are perennials that live and bloom for many years with the right care. Mulch the bulbs with 3 to 4 inches of organic mulch in fall and through winter to avoid winter damage.

References

• Friends of Robbins Farm Park: Bulb Plantings 2008
• Oregon State University: Lily
• Lilies.org: Planting Lilies