Do You Remove Some Tree Lilies?

To keep your lilies blooming year after year, it is essential to cut them back when they stop blooming. This ensures that the plant puts all its energy into producing new flowers, rather than setting seed. You can tell when it’s time to cut them back by looking for faded flowers and yellowing leaves. Tree lilies are herbaceous perennials that die back to ground level each year, then sprout again in the spring. They do not require lifting or storing for winter, but in particularly cold conditions, they do.

To prune your lilies, plant tree lily bulbs in autumn for blooms the following summer. Plant the bulbs 10 to 12 inches deep and allow 8 to 12 inches between each bulb. Water the bulbs deeply after planting. Tree lilies are herbaceous perennials that die back to ground level each year, but they do not require lifting or storing for winter. To ensure they grow to their full potential, prune them once they finish their blooming season, trim the stems to about one-third of its height, and wait until the foliage has completely turned brown and limp before cutting all top growth to the ground.

If you plan to cut lilies too early before the foliage has turned, cut only 1/3 of the stem along with the flower and leave the bulk of the stem still in the ground. This will ensure that the bulb continues to get nutrients so it can produce another. Once the lilies have finished flowering, cut the flower head off and leave the leaves and stem to die back naturally until it turns brown and hollow. Cut the stem from the base just above ground level.

It is best to prune lilies in late fall or early spring, after the last frost. First, cut the stem down to about 4-6 inches from the soil line. Withhold water when the blooms die but leave the foliage in place until they turn yellow and are easy to pull. Never pull the leaves if they are dying. At the end of the season, cut stems back to ground level if the intention is to plant out.