When to plant Lilies in Perry County, AL
Perry County's 244-day season only supports one Lilies planting per year. Sow between March 7 and March 21 for the best chance at full maturity before November 13.
When to Plant Lilies in Perry County, AL
Your June planting checklist for Perry County, Alabama
Your Perry County, Alabama garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.
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Basket week: lilies
The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.
Before July arrives, get these ready
- First harvests: lilies
Lilies (Lilium spp.) are among the most impressive summer-blooming bulbs, delivering bold, upward- or outward-facing trumpet blooms on tall stems from June through August. Asiatic hybrids are the most cold-hardy, earliest to bloom, and easiest to grow; Oriental hybrids bloom later with intensely fragrant, larger flowers. Orienpet (OT) hybrids combine the hardiness of Asiatics with the fragrance and size of Orientals. True lilies (not to be confused with daylilies, which are Hemerocallis) form scaly bulbs that persist and multiply underground, returning reliably each year with increasingly large clumps.
Perry County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 244 days.
At an elevation of 61 feet, Perry County receives approximately 49.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Lilies during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Lilies, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.
Perry County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Clay Loam
Soil pH
5.4-6.7
Drainage
Well Drained
Lilies Planting Risk Windows
Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.
Soil Compatibility in Perry County
How your county's soil matches Lilies's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.4–6.7) overlaps with Lilies's range (6.0–6.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The clay loam soil in Perry County is excellent for Lilies — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Lilies.
How to Plant Lilies
Succession Planting Lilies
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 16 to harvest before frost.
Lilies Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Lilies
Lilies needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Lilies Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 4.3" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.9" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 5.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.2" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.5" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 4.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Perry County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Lilies Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Lilies Planting Timeline — Perry County, AL
Lilies Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | March 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Bloom | May 16 | May 16 – Sep 5 |
Plant 5" deep · 12" apart · Rows 18" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Transplant Outdoors |
| April | — |
| May | Bloom |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
70–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8b
📆 Growing Season
244 days in Perry County
Growing Tips for Lilies in Perry County
Direct sow Lilies outdoors after March 14 in Perry County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
With Perry County's clay soil (28% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Lilies. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.
General growing tips
Plant bulbs in fall (preferred, September–October) or spring, setting them 3 times their diameter deep (typically 4–6 inches) with the pointed end up. Lilies need excellent drainage — they will rot in wet or heavy clay soils. Site with full sun on stems and blooms but cool, shaded soil at the base (ground cover or shallow-rooted annuals at their feet is ideal). Remove spent blooms but leave stems and foliage until they yellow naturally, as the bulb needs the foliage to photosynthesize and rebuild energy stores. Red lily beetle is a serious pest in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest; inspect plants regularly and hand-pick adults and larvae. Never plant Oriental or Asiatic lilies near cats — all Lilium species are highly toxic to cats. Year 2+ bulbs produce the most stems and largest blooms.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Lilies in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lilies in Perry County, AL?
Perry County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Lilies planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Perry County, AL?
Perry County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 13.
When should I plant Lilies in Perry County, AL?
In Perry County, AL, plant Lilies after the last frost (around March 14) and before the first frost (around November 13). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.
What growing zone is Perry County, AL for Lilies?
Perry County sits in USDA Zone 8b. Lilies grows reliably in zones 3a through 9a, so it's a good fit here.
Can Lilies grow in Perry County's climate?
Yes — Lilies grows well in Perry County's temperate climate. Perry County averages a 244-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 14 and first frost around November 13.
Your Perry County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Perry County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.