Like the other summer plants (dahlias, peonies, gladioli), lilies can be planted in the spring which can then blossom that very summer. Actually, the best assortment of varieties of the hardy lilies is available in the spring. Also, the bulbs of these hardy lilies are very easy to plant and cultivate. The key to having healthy and blooming lilies would be knowing the characteristic of the particular lily breed you have. For example, Asiatic lilies need full sun, even in the heat of summer. There are some who would need light shade. It is best to plant the lily bulbs immediately after buying them since they do not have the protection or covering which is present in other plant bulbs. Pests In long stretches of cool and wet weather, lilies can be attacked by botrytis, a fungus that destroys lily leaves. You can take care of this by having plants correctly spaced among themselves in the garden. The reason is air circulation for the leaves to dry out fast after the rains. (If there is fungus, apply any fungicide recommended for roses. It is a must that you know the most suitable soil that you can use so your potted lilies can get all the nutrients it need. Among all the types of soil available for indoor lilies, experts say that clay would be the best option. Since it has high water retention properties, clay can supply all the nutrients needed by indoor lilies despite restricted living conditions. You must know when is the right time to rake off the mulch. You need to take extra precaution in handling the plants new shoots. These are fragile and brittle. If anything gets broken, you cannot expect the flower to bloom for that season. The flower bed needs sufficient amount of fertilizer to ensure the health of your plants. Proper Handling You have to find an area on your garden where the water doesn t get stuck. Good drainage is essential here because the flower beds need to be soaked in water, but the water needs to flow in. To conserve the moisture that the soil absorbs, it is essential to mulch the soil in order to keep it loose and cool.