No time to plant lilies now? They can wait until spring

Garden lilies are the rare breed of flower bulb you can plant in either spring or fall. Other bulbs have required planting seasons. For instance, spring-blooming tulip, daffodil and hyacinth bulbs must be planted in fall and experience winter or they won't root, grow and bloom. On the other hand, tender summer-blooming bulbs, such as elephant ears, dahlias and begonias will perish from cold and can be planted outdoors only after the threat of frost has passed and lifted over winter in colder areas for storage until spring. Lilies are different.

Lilies are winter-hardy bulbs that bloom in summer, not spring, and because they don't require the cold treatment spring bulbs do, lilies never enter a dormant state and thus will begin growing whenever they're planted, spring or fall. Technically, whichever season you choose, you're never really planting true lilies, you're transplanting them.

Many gardeners prefer fall planting for lilies when frequent fall rains and cooler weather prompt rooting to give the bulbs a head-start on spring growing.

But, there's another reason fall planting is preferred: It gets bulbs into the ground fast and minimizes the chance that they'll dry out before planting. This matters because, unlike tulips and most other true bulbs, lily bulbs have no protective outer papery skin (or, tunic). Their fleshy scales are exposed and can dry out if subjected to prolonged drying conditions. This is why lily bulbs are sold in moisture-retentive bags and kept cool prior to planting, in any season. (Thus bagged, never dormant and kept moist, lilies sometimes sprout inside the bags, especially in spring.)

Planting lilies is easy and, once established, they're remarkably trouble-free for flowers so flamboyant. But how you plant them matters: For lilies, well-drained soil is a must. Moist soil is good; soggy soil is not. Collected water (or puddles) will kill lilies even faster than it will other bulbs. Most are planted 6 inches deep (position the bulb in the hole sideways so water won't collect between the bulb scales), in well-worked soil with good drainage. Amend heavy soil with compost or well-rotted manure. Sunny spots or partial shade are best. As always, water well after planting to prompt rooting.

Though fall planting of lilies is a great idea, it's not an absolute necessity. Unlike tulips and most other fall-planted bulbs, with lilies you get another chance to plant come spring.