Belladonna Lilies: When To Move Them?

Belladonna lilies, also known as Jersey lily, resurrection lily, magic lily, surprise lily, or the March lily, are an amazing perennial plant grown from a bulb. They are best transplanted in late spring or early summer when they are dormant, preferably after the plant has finished blooming. The perfect time to transplant a belladonna lily is during late fall to mid-winter, as dormancy provides a stress-free transition.

Plant belladonna lily in spring in a full-sun or part-shade location just deep enough to cover the bulb to its tip, spacing bulbs three to a square foot. In indoors, a potted plant should receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The best period to relocate a belladonna lily is from late autumn to mid-winter, as this timing ensures the plant has the best possible start.

Both Belladonna lilies and Lycoris squamigera (also known as naked ladies) can be transplanted after flowering, but it is best to plant them in the spring or fall depending on your unique climate and the presence of frost. Belladonna lily bulbs can remain in the ground for several years without the need to lift and divide them. If you do need to transplant them, do so in autumn after the plant has finished flowering and just as the leaves start emerging. If in pots, they can be moved into a cool, bright but frost-free position.

In summary, Belladonna lilies are a fascinating perennial plant that requires ample sunlight and proper soil preparation.

When should I transplant my lilies?

Lilies, which produce from bulbs, require division and transplanting in the fall for optimal results. Experts recommend late September or early October for this process. Once lifted, transplant the bulbs immediately. The best time to transplant depends on the zone and the plant’s longevity. Some plants may last longer and should be left with foliage intact until the last frost date to gather energy for massive blooms.

Division of lilies should be done a few weeks before the first frost, and every 2 to 3 years for optimal lily stands. If uncertain, dig up the lilies when the foliage starts to yellow and separate and replant them.

Can you move lilies while they are blooming?

The author argues that transplanting lilies in the fall is not the best time, as they are at their maximum height and can easily mistakenly be placed in the wrong position. They also mention that the clashing colors of dormant bulbs can be distracting and cause confusion. The author also mentions that the maximum size of the plants in mid-summer is another advantage, as it is easier to avoid misjudgement of space placement when autumnal plants have shrunk.

They also advise against moving lilies in spring, as the delicate new shoot can be easily broken and the bulb has only two options: die or spend a year below ground, depleting its energy reserves. The author concludes that the best time to transplant lilies is during mid-summer, as it is the only time when the delicate new shoot is easily broken and the bulb is caught in a perilous game of Russian roulette.

When can I move belladonna lilies?

It is recommended that the relocation of the belladonna lily from late autumn to mid-winter be undertaken in order to ensure that the plant receives the optimal conditions for its establishment.

Can you transplant Amaryllis belladonna?

Plant Amaryllis belladonna bulbs in areas with un shaded soil, avoiding heat and dryness during late spring and early summer dormancy. Divide clumps only when necessary or move them during or after blooming, keeping soil intact. Use loose, deep mulch to protect foliage from frost. Propogate by division and offsets. Plant bulbs in containers with exposed tops, water mid-summer until blooming, and let plants become potbound. Refer to the USDA Planting Zone Map for your zone.

Do Belladonna lilies spread?

Amaryllis, also known as “naked ladies” or “surprise lily”, are flowering bulbs that emerge from bare ground in late summer, producing fragrant, long-lasting flowers. They are most noticeable in rural areas and suburban gardens, and their scent attracts carpenter bees and moths. After flowers dry, seeds are released and spread by wind during winter. Luther Burbank attempted to create hybrids by crossing amaryllis with a crinum lily to clothe the naked ladies.

The plant is toxic to people and animals, especially its bulbs with a high level of an alkaloid. Deer ignore all plant parts. In late winter, bright green, strap-like leaves appear, often confused with Agapanthus. Vegetative growth continues throughout spring, and supplemental irrigation is not needed. Stored energy in the large bulbs pushes up flower stems in mid- to late summer.

Unlike other flowering bulbs, amaryllis does not like to be disturbed and takes a few years of neglect to establish and bloom after planting. Bulbs can be divided and replanted, or offsets can be harvested and planted. Bulbs should be set in full sun with the narrow top or neck level with the soil surface. Growing from seed can take up to 10 years.

When can amaryllis be moved?

Amaryllis, a plant with a tolerance for both direct sunlight and shaded conditions, is best planted during the winter months and can be transplanted at any time. It flourishes in partial sunlight, such as beneath pine trees, but may exhibit yellowing in full sunlight.

When to repot lilies?

Lilies can be grown in containers for a second season in the same pot, but the top 5cm of compost should be replaced with fresh compost with added fertilizer or manure. They should be kept in a cool, frost-free, airy place with strong light, such as a well-ventilated cold greenhouse or frame. In southern England, many lilies are fully hardy and can be left outside year-round. In cold areas, containers may be wrapped with bubble polythene to protect against frost. In very cold areas, containers should be kept in frost-free sheds until spring.

Do lilies spread each year?

Lily bulbs are capable of multiplication and dispersion, resulting in the formation of bulbils in leaf joints along the stem. They flourish in conditions of sheltered exposure, fertile soil, and well-drained soil. Lilies can be successfully cultivated in containers and are capable of withstanding frost. However, it is essential to provide protection from winter precipitation when cultivating lilies in containers. Lilies are capable of surviving frost, but they require protection from winter moisture.

What do I do with my lilies when they have finished flowering?

After lilies have flowered, cut off the flower heads and allow the foliage to die back naturally. Avoid cutting the stem back until it becomes hollow and brown, as this will feed the bulb for next year’s flowering. Leave the bulbs in the ground or pots, as they prefer a cold dormant phase during winter. Ensure they have plenty of drainage to prevent waterlogging and rot. Tilt the pots or place them under shelter to prevent waterlogging. After a few years, divide the bulbs and replant them all.

Do Belladonna lilies like sun or shade?

Belladona lily is a summer flowering bulb native to Africa, known for its fragrant pink flowers on naked stems and strap-like leaves. It prefers a sunny spot and can be transplanted in the fall after blooming and leaves are emerging. The plant is cold hardy to zones 8 through 10, but requires moisture during the winter growing season. It can tolerate summer drought but needs moisture during the winter growing season.

Belladona lily propagates through its perennial mother bulb, producing offset bulblets or through seed, which requires a warm to cool annual thermoperiodic cycle for germination. The plant is not susceptible to animal predation and can be injured at temperatures below 35 degrees F.