Lilies can flower for several years. It is important to know how to overwinter the lily properly.
Lilies (Lilium) transform every garden and balcony into a midsummer night's dream with their impressive flowers. But what happens to the exotic bulbous plants when summer ends and the first frost sets in? Most species are not hardy here. But since the different types of lilies are distributed all over the northern hemisphere, there are also a few species that are hardy in our country. A simple winter protection is still necessary. Here you can find out how to successfully get your lilies through the winter, whether hardy or not, in pot culture or in beds.
Select hardy lily species and varieties
With 150 different species and a good 2000 species hybrids and varieties, luckily there is also one or the other lily that has no problem with the German winter. Although persistent snowfall, rain and severe frost can lead to losses, the following species are generally considered hardy:
Asian Hybrid: The usually star-shaped flowers open in June or July; growth height up to 1 m; Location: Half-shady with fresh, humus-rich and nutrient-rich as well as well-drained soil; The following varieties are considered particularly hardy: 'Monte Negro', 'Netty's Pride', 'Grand Cru', 'Mapira', 'Yellow County', 'Kushi Maya'.
Tree Lily: Fragrant flowers between June and August; can grow up to 2.5 m tall; Location: Sunny and sheltered from the wind with well-drained, nutrient-rich and humus-rich soil.
Tiger Lily (Lilium bulbiferum): Usually orange flower with brown spots; Umbelliferous flowers with up to 20 flowers and 1 m in height; Site: Sunny and slightly calcareous soil.
Japanese mountain lily (Lilium auratum): Several fragrant, large flowers on one stem; hardy with light winter protection; Site: Cool and moist with lime-free soil; hardy varieties: 'Cupido', 'Sphinx', 'Nobility'.
Canada Lily (Lilium canadense): The umbel-shaped inflorescences bloom in June and July, containing up to 20 flowers; growth height over 1 m; location withlime-free soil.
Madonna Lily (Lilium candidum): Up to eight beautiful white flowers; growth height up to 1 m; hardy with winter protection; Position: Sunny with fresh and loose, calcareous soil.
Oriental Lily (Lilium oriental): Multiple strongly scented flowers; Flowering: July - August; Flower Colors: White and yellow or pink; Petals mostly ruffled or wavy; particularly beautiful cut flowers; Location: partial shade with calcareous soil; hardy varieties: 'Muscadet', 'Josephine'.
Panther Lily (Lilium pardalinum): The curled-back, Turk's cap-shaped flowers appear in August; the flowers are yellow-orange with red tips and brown spots; growth height of up to over 2m; Site with lime-free soil.
Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium): Multiple pendulous flowers with reflexed petals and speckles.
Trumpet Lily (Lilium aurelianum): Several trumpet-shaped, pendulous flowers; strong sweet scent; heights of up to 1.5m; flowering period: July - August; Location: Light shade; hardy varieties: 'Pink Perfection', 'Royal Gold', 'White Elegance'.
Turk's Cap Lily (Lilium martagon, Lilium cernuum): Up to seven delicately scented flowers , shaped like a turban; Location: partial shade with calcareous soil; hardy cultivars: 'Manitoba Morning', 'Orange Marmalade', 'Guinea Gold'.
A layer of straw, brushwood or twigs serves as winter protection for the bulbs remaining in the ground. This is spread over the plants after the withered parts of the plant have been cut off by a hand's breadth above the ground after the first frost. Pile up some additional soil at the base of the stem.
Overwintering lilies: Overwintering non-hardy species
Dress up your garden in summer with the flowers of exotic lily species from warmer climes, these should be dug up after the first frost and overwintered indoors. Do the following:
- Cut off the withered parts of the plant to a hand's breadth above the ground
- Dig up the onion carefully without damaging the roots
- Rinse off adhering soil with running water
- Check onion for diseases such as rot; remove diseased onions
- Onions a few days in a dark, cool (15 - 20°C) and dry in an airy place (garage, shed)
Store the bulbs in a perforated box until spring planting. Make sure the bulbs don't touch each other to prevent the spread of fungal infections. If the onions start to shrivel over time, you can spray them lightly with a water spray. In the spring, when there is no longer any danger of frost, the bulbs are planted again. You can find out here what care lilies need during growth and especially during the flowering phase.
Winter lilies in pots
With a pot culture, there is always an increased risk in winter that the soil with the bulb will freeze completely. That would be fatal for the lily and must be prevented. It is therefore best to overwinter your potted lilies in a frost-free, dark cellar or garage. Alternatively, a gazebo or a greenhouse can also be used. After the first forest, the pots migrate to their winter quarters. Before that - as with the lilies in the bed - the withered parts of the plant are cut off about a hand's breadth above the ground. Potted lilies must also be watered in winter, because the bulb should never dry out completely. In February, if the plants overwinter in a dark place, you can move them to a nice window seat. This is where new growth begins. Lilies that don't spend their time in the walls at home can be placed in the garden as soon as there is no longer any danger of frost.
Note: After the winter you can seize the opportunity and repot your lily right away. You can divide the bulb for propagation and ensure an even more impressive flowering period thanks to the fresh substrate. Your lily is ideally cared for with Plantura organic potting soil. It provides all the nutrients you need for great blooms and is peat-free and sustainably produced.
In addition to overwintering, there are other important care measures for lilies. In our special article you will learn everything about proper lily care.