How to Care for a Western Red Lily

Overview

The official state flower of Saskatchewan, Canada, the western red lily is a red-orange flower that grows from a walnut-size bulb. The western red lily blooms from mid-June to mid-July sporadically from year to year. Like most flower bulbs, the western red lily's bulbs are planted in the spring or fall, either outdoors or in containers. Flowers usually don't begin to appear for at least four years. With the right care, your western red lily will make a stunning addition to your garden or indoor areas.

Step 1

Plant western red lily bulbs about 2 to 6 inches deep in well-draining soil. Work into the soil a handful of coarse sand and some organic compost or aged manure.

Step 2

Grow your lilies in a sheltered but sunny location. Ensure that the lilies receive at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight every day, preferably morning through early afternoon.

Step 3

Water your western red lilies deeply once or twice per week to supplement rainfall. Water the lilies more often during dry spells to ensure that they receive a minimum of 1 to 2 inches of water per week.

Step 4

Fertilize your lilies once or twice every month during the growing season, using an organic-based flower fertilizer. Follow the dosage and application instructions on the label.

Step 5

Stake your western red lilies when they grow tall to protect them from breakage by wind or hard precipitation. Insert a wooden stake into the ground beside the lily and tie the stem to the stake using two or three evenly-spaced soft ties, such as string.