Lilies have a kind of ethereal quality about them. Featuring only six large, softly curled petals, every bloom feels deliberate, as though it's fulfilling a greater purpose. They also hold an important place in cultures and literature around the world, and of course, remain one of the most popular names for girls.
Their showy blooms are highly resilient and come in all colours of the rainbow (sometimes with intricate patterns sprinkled on their petals), making them a British garden favourite. They're a large genus of roughly 120 wild species and thousands of cultivated varieties and hybrids. Many more have 'lily' in their name, but only Liliums are true lilies.
Those true lilies typically finish flowering in late summer, typically in August or September, and if you have one of these ostentatious plants growing in your garden, you might be wondering what to do next. The good news is that despite seeming like fussy flowers, they're surprisingly easy to manage.
Deadhead now but delay pruning
Start by lightly removing spent flowers. "Once lilies have finished flowering, don’t be too quick to tidy everything away," warns Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres.
"Remove the faded blooms but leave the stems and foliage in place for as long as they stay green, as this is when the plant is feeding the bulb and building energy for next year’s display," he explains.
In late autumn, when the stems and leaves turn entirely yellow or brown and your lilies have finished storing energy, you can prune them, cutting back the dead stalk to about 2.5 cm above the soil.
"Once the leaves have yellowed and the stems have died back naturally, you can cut them down neatly. It’s a simple bit of follow-through, but it really helps lilies come back in fine form," Julian adds.
Keep watering
For now, though, focus on supporting your plant as it finishes flowering. "A little care now can make all the difference later," the expert says.
"Keep the soil lightly moist while the plant is still active, make sure drainage is sharp and avoid letting bulbs sit in wet compost, especially in pots."
Apply fertiliser
Now is also a good time to apply some nutrient-rich fertiliser. "If you want to give them an extra boost, a light feed can help strengthen the bulb before it goes dormant," Julians says.
If you tidy up spent flowers, keep watering and add a well-timed boost before cutting your lilies down in late autumn, your lilies should come back strong and healthy next year.
Summer gardening edit
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Wanda Sachs is the Multiplatform Writer for Country Living and House Beautiful, exploring the latest in gardening, wildlife and sustainable living alongside interiors and property. She is particularly interested in human-interest stories, the intersection of design and pop culture, and the evolving relationship between urban and rural life. Previously, she served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she reported on culture and fashion. Wanda studied English and German at the Goethe University Frankfurt and Exeter University.
