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When to plant Lilies in Lawrence County, IL

Lawrence County's 197-day season only supports one Lilies planting per year. Sow between April 20 and May 4 for the best chance at full maturity before October 27.

When to Plant Lilies in Lawrence County, IL

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.

Lawrence County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 969 feet, Lawrence County receives approximately 35.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Lilies during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting Fragrant
Lawrence County, IL (Zone 6b) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Lawrence County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Lilies Planting Timeline — Lawrence County, IL

Lilies Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 – May 4
Bloom June 29 Jun 29 – Oct 5

Plant 5" deep · 12" apart · Rows 18" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June Bloom
July Bloom
August Bloom
September Bloom
October Bloom
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

70–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

197 days in Lawrence County

Growing Tips for Lawrence County

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lilies in Lawrence County, IL?

Lawrence County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Lilies planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lawrence County, IL?

Lawrence County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 27.

When should I plant Lilies in Lawrence County, IL?

In Lawrence County, IL, plant Lilies after the last frost (around April 13) and before the first frost (around October 27). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lawrence County, IL for Lilies?

Lawrence County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Lilies grows reliably in zones 3a through 9a, so it's a good fit here.

Can Lilies grow in Lawrence County's climate?

Yes — Lilies grows well in Lawrence County's temperate climate. Lawrence County averages a 197-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 13 and first frost around October 27.

🌱

Your Lawrence County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lawrence County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Lawrence County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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