The Easter Lily

Did you know?

• Lilium longiflorum is the Latin name for the traditional Easter Lily (native to the southern islands of Japan).
• Easter Lilies naturally bloom in June or July but are “forced” to bloom in controlled greenhouse conditions in order for us to have them for Easter. 
• When choosing a Lily plant, look for one with lots of dark, rich green leaves that go all the way down to the soil and a plant in various stages of maturity (i.e. some flowers open, some almost open, and some new buds). This will ensure you have new flowers to bloom once the first ones die off (and should be removed). 
• If your Easter Lily comes wrapped in pretty paper, foil, plastic, etc., be sure to remove it immediately or take extra care when watering to avoid standing water in the bottom of the wrapping. You could remove the pot from the wrapping, water over a sink, and let all excess water completely drain before placing back in wrapping. 
• In the home, Easter Lilies prefer moderately cool temperatures, moist, well-drained soil, and indirect, natural daylight. Avoid placing directly in a window or near any appliances, fireplaces, heaters, etc. that could give off heat or air. 
• As the flowers mature, if you remove the yellow anthers before the pollen starts to shed, then you can extend the life of the flower as well as keep the yellow pollen from staining the beautiful white flower. 
• You do NOT have to throw away your Easter Lily once it finishes blooming. Keep the plant in a sunny location, continue to water as needed, apply a slow release fertilizer, and you can move it to a sunny location outside once all danger of frost has passed. If you want to plant in your garden, it requires the following planting and maintenance:
  - plant in well-drained soil, enriched with organic matter, in a sunny location
  - plant the bulb 3 inches below ground (with additional 3 inches of soil mounded on top) and place bulbs 12 -18 inches apart. Be sure to spread out the roots when planting and water thoroughly. Apply mulch to help conserve moisture.
  - Once the original plant begins to die back, cut down to the soil and new growth will soon emerge. If all conditions are perfect, you may even get a second bloom late in the summer, but if not, you can expect your lily to bloom next June or July – not around Easter.
  - Finally, in the fall, be sure to cover soil around your lily with a heavy layer of mulch to help protect from the frost; promptly remove this extra mulch in the spring to allow new growth to come through.

  
Happy Easter everyone!

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