I have a question that involves lilies, irises, and other bulbs. My DH's grandmother passed away last year, and they are getting ready to sell the house. I am big on sentimental items, and have asked my MIL if I could take some of the plants (the house is unlivable unless they do MAJOR reconstruction) and she said that is fine. My question is that if I dig up the irises and lillies, will they die? I have created a garden of plants that I have taken from there so far outside my bedroom window so that my DH can always wake up and look outside and see his grandmother in a way. I know they won't bloom this year or next, but I hate to think they will be destroyed if they take down the house.
Any help or suggestions on how to go about transplanting them? (posting this in Irises as well as I have another question about irises in general)
Transplanting
Both irises and lilies can be dug and tranplanted. Plant irises flush with the soil (so the top of the rhizome - bulb - is flush with the top of the soil). Plan the lilies 6-8" deep.
If they have green foliage (stems/leaves) on dig them as plants (make sure to dig deep with lilies so you get to the bulb.. can be as deep as 10-12") and transplant at same level as they are currently growing.
Plant in full sun or partial shade.
water well immediately after transplanting.
Both can be transported in a box filled with ever-so-slightly moist potting soil or peatmoss sphagnum (not too wet).
Hi Magwar, and welcome to the Lilies Forum.
Excellent advice you just got there from one of our resident experts!
Mary
Thank you both, I plan on going over there this morning while the ground is still wet so it will make transplanting easier. =) I appreciate your advice!
Welcome to the Lily Addiction corner od Dg.
*smiles* thanks! My lillies are holding up through the transplant. My irises....are making me want to cry...
Wanda gave me a very good tip and it works beautifully.
Dig deep as Kenneth said and take a good amount of soil with you so as to not disturb the plant flower scapes which have likely formed by now. Use those plastic grocery bags and put each plant in a bag soil and all. They have built-in handles and make transporting very easy. I am moving daylilies and lilies and iris from my old house to new house this way and just get a couple of good size boxes, dig my plants, put them in the boxes, move them and tranplant.
Do water in well also.
Your iris bed looks great now. So.... where are the lilies? Remember they do not like wet feet either.
Inanda
*smiles* thank you. I planted the lilies in sun/part shade. They frame my driveway. They did wonderful on transplanting =) Plus the bottom of the flowerbed there has some gravel mixed in. Doesn't stay wet for long. I can't wait until they bloom! I have always associated Tiger lilies with my childhood home so I am loving them!
Your irese will be fine--I move them all the time. Just keep as much dirt as possible on the clump. If they get too droppy, give them a trim.