Lily bulbs can be planted throughout the winter and spring season, but now (end of April) it is really time to put them in the ground. Tuesday 30 April is also the last day that you can buy Lilies at Fluwel.

If the bulbs are stored properly, it is no problem to plant the lilies in April; the lily bulb growers are now also busy planting their last plants.

When planting lily bulbs later, it can happen that the soil is too warm and they start too hard. As a result, the roots cannot always keep up with the demand for water, which means that the Lilies in the garden will grow less tall and will also flower later in time.

It is therefore best to ensure that the Lily bulbs are planted in the ground before the end of April.

Please note that you plant the bulbs deep enough. This has two advantages;

1. Deeper in the ground it is a bit cooler, which means the Lily grows a bit less quickly, giving it time to develop sufficient roots.
2. Deeper planting provides more space for the stem roots

Stem roots are the roots that grow above the bulb on the stem of the Lily (see photo above). These roots are essential for a good start and are also important to firmly anchor the bulb in the ground. At least 10 centimetres of soil on top of the bulb is recommended.

If planted too shallow, the plant will be less sturdy and will be able to absorb less water in the initial period of its growth. Later in time, the bulb will also grow many roots at the bottom that can provide it with sufficient water during the summer, when it is in full bloom.

Kind regards,

Carlos van der Veek