After-Care for Lilies

Lilies light up the summer garden with their blooms. Like this 'Yellow Diamond' variety, most flower for several weeks. Later, the bulbs need a little TLC to build up energy for next year's show. Luckily, their after-care is surprisingly easy, says Tim Crockenberg, head grower for Stargazer Barn, a source for fresh-cut flowers, wines, confections and other products.

When your lily blooms fade, Crockenberg says, clip them off below the pedestal, which is the part where the flower attaches to the stem. "You don't want them to make seeds, which takes away energy from the bulb. But leave as many leaves as possible on the stem." This variety is 'Sorbonne'.

After you remove the lily blooms, keep watering the plants for about 6 to 8 more weeks. The bulbs will continue to grow and get bigger, Crockenberg says.

Stop watering around the first of September, Crockenberg advises, and cut the lily stems almost to ground-level. Leave a very short section of stem.