Lilies, will they rot if

I plant a summer annual on top of them in their big pots? I like to double or triple up my plantings in my pots to get a long season out of them. But this would mean I would be watering them long after they have faded. Can they take this?

Also, if it is true that they need 2 months of cold, I am already in big trouble. I bought these at HD, they were the size of tennis balls so I could not resist.
thanks

What kind of lily are they kell?

I bought about 4 kinds. I had thought one was a regal lily but it is really a green magic trumpet lily and another is a golden sunburst............. and then I got 2 different asiatic lilies. I was seduced!

I would think they'd be fine. After all, if the bulbs are in the ground and it rains, they'll get wet when they are dormant. How is watering in a pot any different?

Certainly make sure there is plenty of drainage under each bulb - eg sit them on grit and make sure the pot is free draining - and stand it on feet or something which will allow water to flow freely out of the bottom of the pot

when lilies are left lying on garden centre shelves they start to grow. I'm not sure if this a presevervation reaction. I'm not sure about 2 months cold tho there must be people out there who have a longer period of cold. this is one reason the southern states and other countries cant grow tulips and daffs. there is no cold spell although there are ways around it ie putting the bulbs in the fridge for 6 weeks to fool 'em.

you want to plant your lilies in as tall a pot you can find because they root all along their stems that are underground and produce a sturdier more helathy plant.

I grow quite a lot of lilies, I plant usually in the fall here as they do get quite a substantial chill period. I can also buy bulbs in the spring of various Orientals or Asiatics and they don't do quite as well as the fall planted stuff.I am assuming the spring bulbs that can be purchased here have been prechilled. I don't lift the bulbs either. And we can get lots of winter rain, they don't rot either. Kell, I wonder if I couldn't send you some of the bulbs I have in the ground now and I would think they would bloom well for you as we have had a pretty good chill period here already. If not now, in another month. By the way I see the pink native amaryllis you sent me last fall is showing some green strappy leaves.Is that pretty normal?

Hi Joann.......hope you had great holidays. My leaves have been up for a while. They are a lush green mound now which I like in the winter.......gives my garden something vibrant and fresh to look at! They will die down later in late spring and then the flowers come up in later summer. I am glad they are growing for you!