Here ’s how to compute out if your lilies are perennials or not .
After growing liberal , beautiful flush from lily incandescent lamp , you may be wonder , are lilies perennials or are they one - and - done bulbs that won‘t come back after the wintertime ? The result depend on first verify you have “ true ” lilies and then determining the hardiness of the type of lily you have . Here‘s how to see outwhether your lily are perennials .
Marty Baldwin

Credit:Marty Baldwin
Identifying True Lilies
Many plants have " lily " in their name , such asdaylily , calla lily , canna lily , water system lily , but are n’t actuallytrue lilies . All true lily belong to to the genusLilium . There are manytypes of liliesin this genus , and they all have large scaly yellow-bellied or white bulbs . A single stem with narrow leaves grows from the electric-light bulb . The flower buds open first on the lower part of the stem , and each flower has six anthers and six flower petal .
The North American Lily Society classifies true lily into nine divisions or class base on their traits , including how they grow and their heyday configuration . Many lilies are crossbreed , include Asian crossbreed , Oriental crossbreed , and Trumpet hybrid . TheEaster lilyis also a pop type of true lily . While the winter hardiness of these different types of true lilies can vary , all of theselilies are perennialswhen they are arise in the correct garden conditions and hardiness geographical zone .
Perennial Lily Hardiness
True lily come back class after year as long as they are appropriately care for . recurrent lily loosely rise well inUSDA Hardiness Zones4 - 9 .
geographical zone 4 has a frigid climate with low temperatures rate from -30 ° F to -20 ° F . Some of the state in Hardiness Zone 4 let in Montana , North Dakota , South Dakota , Minnesota , and Wisconsin , as well as the northeasterly states of New Hampshire , Maine , Vermont , and northerly New York .
Zone 9 is warmer , but it still has low temperature ramble from 20 ° degree Fahrenheit to 30 ° F and comprises California , parts of Oregon and Washington , and most of the southern states , include Arizona , Texas , Louisiana , Mississippi , Alabama , and Florida .
Protecting Lilies in Winter
What to Do with Lilies in Pots for Winter
Have potted lily ? plant that grow in pots are more susceptible to colder temperature than those in the ground . However , grow lilies in container entail you’re able to well convert locations when needed . Move a potted lily to a dry , protected area away from Robert Frost and cold temperatures , such as a garage , cellar , or shed ; even a covered porch can suffice . ensure the bulb do n’t dry out out completely by contain the soil moisture sporadically . If you notice it ’s begin to dry , irrigate the grime lightly .
If you keep potted lily out of doors for winter , furnish some insulation such as a bed of bubble wrapping or straw to protect the dirt and the lightbulb from freeze / thaw cycles .
Lily Care Tips
lily are perennial in that they have the power to grow back each fountain from their bulb without ask to be replanted . However , they do need the right attention to continue growing and bloom through the year . These tips will help keep your lilies glad and respectable .
Frequently Asked Questions
When lilies are done flowering , you could just let the plant produce seeds . Orcut off the spent flowersif you prefer that the lily plant put its energy into the bulb rather than cause seeds .
Lily plant tend to breed tardily over several years , but eventually , the bulbs become crowded , cause the works to be less vigorous and the blooms smaller . Divide the lily in the fall every 3 - 4 years to prevent this .