Someone just gave me a HUGE bunch of Surprise Lilies at the Iowa DG Round-up. Do they do OK in part shade? Plant Files says full sun, but seems like I've seen people plant them in partial shade.
I'd like to get them in the ground ASAP, so any advice on how/where to plant them would be great!
Booker
Where should I plant Surprise Lilies/Naked Ladies?
They'll grow just about anywhere ~ just put them where you won't accidentally disturb them.
Thanks, Moby. I decided to plant them kind of between the daylilies and the peonies, where DH won't mow them down when the flower stalks shoot up. They'll get full sun there, too. Not too sure about the color combinations, but I can always move them if it looks hideous! Guess I was thinking how great they'd look with the peonies, but then later realized they don't bloom anywhere near the same time. I was just so desperate to get everything planted before all the upcoming rains!
The trick with magic lilies is to plant them somewhere that their spring foliage won't flop onto or shade out other plants. Also, incase you weren't aware, after transplanting magic lily bulbs, it may take 2 to 3 yrs. for them to bloom again. I've had luck growing them in all light conditions from AM light to PM light, light to dappled shade with no problem. I tend to avoid placing them in a neat, organized flower bed. They do very well on slopes.
I've also been told that they shouldn't be planted any deeper than five inches. I've transplanted a lot of them over the years and they always bounce right back for me. Probably cause I warned them that they could live or die, it was their choice, but to remember, they could be replaced. :) LOL or maybe I just forgot where I planted them and then one day I noticed that they were blooming. That's probably more likely. :)
We were lucky in that we had a hugh clump that we discovered after we bought our house. We dug it up and gave a lot of the bulbs away to family, friends and neighbors. Then replanted some around our property. After that, I saw them listed on various sites for sale and couldn't believe how much they were wanting for one bulb!
Hope I planted them deep enough. When you say 5 inches, is that the distance to the bottom of the hole (lowest part of the bulb) or how much soil is on top of the bulb? I'd guess mine are 3 inches down. Guess I've never really thought about it until now. I've had such good results with other lilies, can't wait to see these!
I think you're probably fine. It's just that some people plant them like a tulip - 8 to 10 inches down and that's not necessary with these.. :)
I believe we planted ours in holes 4 to 5 inches deep (2 inches on top of the bulb). And they're doing fine!
This message was edited May 6, 2008 6:24 PM
Ticker
"Live or die" sorry but I'm laughing till the tears run down my cheeks. Last night I watched Karate Kid with my kids. There's a scene where he has the bad guy down is about to deliver the coup de grace and yep says it "Live or die man, live or die". I can just see you now with your gardening hat, trowl in your waist band, hand on hips staring down some poor helpless Home Depot rescue plant "live or die man, live or die!". Oh Lord two days of rain and no gardening, I'm really loosing it now.
Yehudith, you really need to come to the next Iowa Round-up. You'll fit in so well. :)
Diann
Oh my, she has a sick sence of humor. I like that in a person. :)