Hi Chloe,
Generally Fall is preferred b/c the roots can get settled and grow some before Winter and be ready to go in the Spring. But I can never resist the flower catalogs in the Spring so I plant then too! I've had success each way. Sometimes the selection from growers varies. The less hardy (such as Longiflorums) are offered more in the Spring so they have a season of growth before they endure the rigors of Winter. Candidum is offered in the Fall only, b/c it needs to set a rosette of leaves before Winter. But Asiatics & Orientals are cold hardy and are generally available both seasons.

Some tips for Fall planting in your area, (which, like Maryland, in the Fall and Winter can have hindquarters freezing weather one week and almost summery weather the next.)

Plant deep, 8" - 10", (except Candidum)and mulch. - This will help insulate your bulbs from unseasonably warm temperatures preventing early sprouting with subsequent frost damage. It will also keep the squirrels and other critters from digging them up and having a nice mid-winter lily snack. Afterall that's what Tulips are for! :) Pull back the mulch in the Spring to prevent slug damage (and/or use Sluggo).

If your soil is heavy clay (like mine) take advantage of planting time to amend the soil. Fortunately most hybrid lilies aren't particularly fussy and can push their way through most soils. But Mid-Atlantic clay can challenge the toughest plant!

Hope this helps,
-Helen

Thanks so much, Helen. That's great info. I've done both spring and fall with them but have had mixed results as far as robustedness for the first year. I was going to wait until Spring to order some, but now you've convinced me to do it this Fall. Thanks!

I've planted in both seasons and have had success either way. Some lilies are a bit picky and take time to settle in before they decide to give out a bloom.

Ciao,
OITGAD

Yeah, many lilies are a bit spotty their first season. But then that's true of many perrennials in general. The only way to avoid that is to buy potted plants. but then you are limited to what's available in your local stores. I got quart pots of Stargazer and Muscadet (ea. w/ 4 stems) at Lowe's this year that were only $6.99. Potted lilies at higher quality nurseries run $10-$12/quart pot around here and have a little bit better selection. But if you want a good selection of bulb type you really need to mailorder.

-Helen

I have purchased my lilies from Ednie/Wooden Shoe Bulb Farm last fall and this spring. Both the fall and spring ones planted did very well for me. In the past I have planted from other suppliers in the fall, and they have not done as well in general as the spring. We have such harsh winters here. I would like to note that I was very pleased everything from Ednie/Wooden Shoe Bulb Farm was true to name. Polly

For PollyNY, I like Ednie quality and selection and have purchased many in potted form through a retailer locally. (They do not carry Ednie in bulb form, only potted plants.) I would enjoy planting some Ednie bulbs, however, the quantites available through the company Ednie lists as selling their bulbs, namely the one you are using, Wooden Shoe Bulb Farm, seem to mainly sell in quantities of 25 per item, or more. The average home gardener prefers a quantity of probably no more than five per item. When you buy from Wooden Shoe, are you buying in the quantities of 25 or larger or do they make exceptions and sell you fewer than 25 per item. It would be interesting to know. Thanks.

I live in Alaska and have planted lilies in the snow and they bloomed fine the next year. The main thing is a good healthy bulb and some bulb food. A few lilies such as China don't bloom well the first year but are fine the next year. For the most part they may bloom later than they will the following year but that is the only difference I see in the cold climate. Mulching also helps. I generally do not plant orientals, orientpets or trumpets in the fall. I must say silk road and triumphator are doing well in the cold climate. I would highly recommend them for northern regions. I do have very well drained amended soil and raised beds so that probably helps. Spring planting is probably best but not all lilies are available in the spring that I might want to buy. If I purchase in the spring I start them in pots in the greenhouse and they have buds when I plant them out. Hmmm that might be why some of the lilies do well as they bloom early the first year and have a chance to really settle in.