Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 11/14/2003

Question
We live in Upstate N.Y.  We have some beautiful stargazer lillies in a wooden container outside, and were wondering what to do with them for the winter. Should we just dig them up and put them in the garage, or would the basement be better? Please let me know ASAP as it is getting cold! Thanks.

Answer
The bulbs are cold hardy and can be left outside over the winter. In fact the bulbs require a vernalization (cooling) period in order to re-bloom.

Smaller containers can tend to trap moisture which then freeze solid which causes the bulbs to die. You should still keep the soil slightly moist by watering the container once per month or so. The soil should not be allowed to dry out completely as lily bulbs are never real dormant like tulips for example. However, if the soil is too damp and freezes the bulbs can be damage. Frozen soil is ok as long as it is not too wet.

The ideal storage place is a very cool place which does not freeze to the extend that it would outdoor. An UNHEATED garage very often meet these criterias. Avoid watering too frequently in winter. Maybe once per month at most. Choose days which are not sub-freezing to do the watering.

Another option is to dig a trench/hole in the ground and dump the contents of the planter into this temporary hole. Next early spring lift the soil back into the planter and top off with more planting soil. Be careful not to damage the bulbs in the transplanting process.