Asian Lilies Only Bloom Once; Why Is That?

Lilies are a popular choice for gardeners due to their bright, beautiful blooms and wide range of colors and varieties. Asiatic lilies are among the hardiest hybrid lilies and are relatively easy-care and disease-resistant once established. They bloom only once in a season, but their bloom period is longer than other varieties. Asiatic lilies thrive in full sun to partial shade, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

With a little care and attention, you can keep Asiatic lilies blooming year after year, providing a constant source of beauty and joy. They bloom in May, June, or July for about a month, and their foliage dies down in the fall and they regrow the next summer. They are available in almost every color and variety, and they require a cool winter dormancy period of at least 8 weeks to reinitiate the flowering cycle. Each plant blooms 2-3 weeks out of the year, and by selecting varieties with a staggered bloom season, it is possible to cover the entire summer (June – August).

True lilies, Lilium species, do not have the ability to bloom twice in a growing season. Once and done, the lily itself will also die off. To prevent the plant from diverting, you can remove spent flowers from the stalks (deadheading) to prevent the plant from diverting.

Asiatic lilies only bloom once per season, lasting about a month. They may produce more blooms later on if the temperatures are warm enough. By learning how to grow Asiatic lilies, you can ensure that your garden receives the earliest lily bloom and maintains a healthy and vibrant plant.