Leaning Lily Stems

Many Trumpet lilies, and most of the Aurelians, do not require staking the first year of planting as they are typically only one-half to two-thirds their mature height the first summer. Unless grown in shade and are stretching for the light, Orienpets, Oriental and Asiatic lilies rarely require a stake to keep the stems from leaning. As lilies put down deep basal roots, and become established in your garden, heavy flower heads from multiple blooms can bend stems over, and look unsightly to tidy gardeners. If desired, you may position 12-inch wooden stakes next to bulbs when planting, and if support is needed later, these short markers can then be replaced with sturdier 4-foot poles without fear of damaging lilies. Use a soft material for tying stems to stakes.