What to do with Oxblood Lily Foliage

There are few flowers that have such an emotional attachment to them as the Oxblood Lily. These flowers bloom after the long, drought-stricken summer. Oxbloods are a beautiful symbol for the promise of cooler weather. Total redemption in the garden happens in a few short weeks after the first rainfall in early Fall. The gardens turn from a crisp brown to a luxurious crimson red. It’s incredible! But, after the flowers fade, the gardener is left with long, scrappy green foliage that seems to sprawl over everything trying to grow. Lily foliage can commonly look unkept and weed-like. My Father-in-Law says it best….. “When are you gonna pull those weeds?!”

I’ve realized that the common eye cannot appreciate the beautiful growth of the dark green foliage. The foliage is the energy for the next years’s flower. Never ever cut it back, no matter how times your Father-in-Law says so. I have begun to arrange my lilies purposefully throughout the garden. There can be little mistake that the lilies are part of the whole garden plan.

Yesterday, I stole a few moments of quiet in the gardens before traveling to my In-Laws’ farm for Thanksgiving. I spent my time weeding and moving Oxbloods. Last year, I had decided to line all the garden paths with Oxblood Lilies. The intentional placement of the lilies really showcases the foliage.
I’ve been told that I move flower bulbs like other people move furniture. Boredom sets in, and I grab a shovel. There are a lot of bulbs to line a lot of pathway, so I’m never bored for long.

I think that lilies look best in clumps. Lilies are like people, they need each other to thrive. I keep my lilies in groups of about 5-10 bulbs. I give the bulbs in each clump room to grow. Oxblood Lilies grow in all kinds of conditions, but they really enjoy water during their growing season (aka…the green, strappy foliage). Let the foliage grow wild and carefree, but contained in the overall landscape plan. Remember, the foliage is the energy for next year’s flower. Foliage actually is the most important part of the bulb cycle. The flower is simply a gift to the gardener…a bulb’s way of saying “thank-you” for all the nutrients and love provided the past year.

There is a very high probability that I will be digging today at the farm. The family Thanksgiving dinner will happen around 3 pm, so I have plenty of time to get my hands in the dirt.

Happy Gardening, my friends!
Love, Keenan at Heirloombulbgirl