It’s no secret why lilies are such a huge hit with gardeners—those unique, trumpet-shaped blooms are absolute showstoppers. If you’re like me, you probably spend all spring counting down the days until those first buds finally open up.
It All Depends on the Variety
If you’re wondering exactly when your lilies will start their show, the answer is: it depends! Some early birds start popping up in May, while other late-bloomers wait until August to make an appearance. The cool thing is, if you plan it right and mix a few different varieties, you can actually have lilies blooming in your garden all summer long.
A Quick Guide to Bloom Times
To help you plan your garden beds, here’s a quick breakdown of when different lily varieties usually hit their peak:
- Madonna Lily: May
- Martagon Lily: June/July
- Leopard Lily: July
- Oriental Lily: July
- Regal Lily: July
- Showy Lily: July/August
- Tiger Lily: July/August
- Trumpet Lily: July/August
- Goldband Lily: August
The Orange Lily (Fire Lily) is a bit of an overachiever—it often starts blooming in May and can keep things going all the way through August!
How to Keep Those Blooms Coming
If you want a long, vibrant blooming season, the secret is making sure your lilies are happy in their location. A little extra TLC goes a long way. Here are my top tips for getting the most out of your flowers:
- Pick a spot that’s sheltered from harsh winds or extreme weather.
- While they love light, most lilies actually prefer partial shade over baking in the full afternoon sun.
- Try “staggered planting”—if you plant your bulbs a few days apart rather than all at once, they’ll bloom in waves.
- Once you see buds starting to form, give them a little boost with a light dose of flower fertilizer.
Don’t forget about the “Big Two”: temperature and moisture. Lilies are happiest when it’s around 60°F (15°C). You’ll want to keep the soil consistently moist, but be careful not to overwater—they don’t like “wet feet.” Finally, here’s a pro tip: deadhead those wilted flowers as soon as they fade. This stops the plant from wasting energy on seed production and helps it store up power for an even better show next year!
