Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why Dahlias and Lilies Are Great Companions
- Designing with Height and Texture
- Choosing the Right Varieties
- The Importance of Spacing and Depth
- Planting Steps for Success
- Water and Fertilizer Requirements
- Managing Pests and Maintaining Health
- Support and Staking
- Handling the End of the Season
- Growing in Containers
- Creating Beautiful Bouquets
- Summary of Success
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Introduction
There is a special kind of magic that happens in a midsummer garden when the first lily buds crack open to reveal their vibrant colors and intoxicating scents. As a gardener, you want that feeling of abundance to last as long as possible. One of the best ways to keep your garden beds looking full and festive from early summer through the first frost is by choosing plants that work in harmony.
Many gardeners wonder if they can combine different types of summer-blooming bulbs in the same space. At Longfield Gardens, we spend a lot of time in our trial gardens testing which plants make the best neighbors. Pairing dahlias with lilies is one of our favorite recommendations because these two superstars complement each other in both beauty and growth habits.
In this guide, we will explore why these flowers make such great companions and how you can successfully grow them together. Whether you are planting in a large backyard border or a collection of patio containers, this pairing offers a simple way to achieve professional-looking results. Combining dahlias and lilies allows you to enjoy a succession of blooms that keeps your landscape colorful for months.
Why Dahlias and Lilies Are Great Companions
The short answer is yes, you can absolutely plant dahlias and lilies together. In fact, they are a match made in gardening heaven. Successful companion planting starts with finding plants that enjoy the same "room service"—meaning they want the same amount of sun, the same type of soil, and the same watering schedule.
Lilies and dahlias are both sun-lovers. To produce those big, showy flowers, they both need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day. They also share a preference for soil that is rich in organic matter but drains quickly. "Drainage" is simply a measure of how fast water leaves the soil. If water sits around the roots or bulbs for too long, they can rot. Because both plants have similar needs, you can treat the entire garden bed the same way without worrying that one plant is being overwatered while the other is thirsty.
Another reason this pairing works so well is the "relay race" of their blooming schedules. Most lilies, especially Asiatic varieties, bloom in early to mid-summer. As the lily flowers begin to fade, dahlias are just starting to ramp up their production. Dahlias will then continue to bloom all the way until the first frost of autumn. By planting them together, you ensure there is never a "quiet" moment in your garden.
Key Takeaway: Dahlias and lilies thrive together because they share a love for full sun and well-drained soil, while providing a continuous display of flowers from June through October.
Designing with Height and Texture
When you plant dahlias and lilies together, you aren't just adding color; you are adding different shapes and textures to your landscape. Lilies typically grow on tall, sturdy, upright stems with narrow, whorled leaves. They provide a strong vertical element that draws the eye upward. Dahlias, on the other hand, tend to be bushier. They produce a lush mound of foliage that fills in the middle and lower parts of the garden bed.
Using Lilies as the Vertical Element
Tall lily varieties, such as Oriental-Trumpet (OT) lilies, or Tiger lilies, can reach heights of four to six feet. These work beautifully when planted toward the back of a border. Their flowers sit high above the ground, often peeking out over the top of other plants. Because the lower stems of lilies can sometimes look a bit bare once the flowers are gone, the leafy growth of dahlias serves as a perfect "skirt" to hide those stems.
Using Dahlias for Fullness
Dahlias come in a wide range of sizes, from 12-inch border varieties to 5-foot giants. For a balanced look, we suggest matching the scale of your dahlias to your lilies. If you are planting tall Trumpet lilies, pair them with Decorative dahlias that reach similar heights. If you are growing shorter Asiatic lilies, consider using smaller Mignon or Border dahlias to create a tiered effect.
Contrast in Flower Forms
The visual contrast between the two flowers is stunning. Lilies have a classic, elegant trumpet or star shape. Dahlias offer an incredible variety of forms, including the perfectly symmetrical pompon, the spiky cactus, and the massive Dinnerplate dahlias. Mixing these shapes makes the garden feel more dynamic and interesting.
Choosing the Right Varieties
To get the most out of this pairing, it helps to know which varieties will bloom at the right time for your goals. We offer a wide selection of both bulbs and tubers that can be mixed and matched.
- Asiatic Lilies: These are usually the first lilies to bloom, often in June or early July. They come in bright, bold colors and are generally shorter than other lilies. They are great for the front or middle of the bed.
- Oriental Lilies: Known for their incredible fragrance and large, ruffled petals, these bloom in mid to late summer. They often overlap perfectly with the start of the dahlia season.
- Trumpet and OT Hybrids: These are the giants of the lily world. They bloom in midsummer and are famous for their height and large, waxy flowers.
- Decorative and Dinnerplate Dahlias: These produce the largest blooms and tall, sturdy plants. They are the classic choice for a high-impact summer garden.
- Cactus and Semi-Cactus Dahlias: These have pointed, narrow petals that add a unique, "shaggy" texture that contrasts beautifully with the smooth petals of a lily.
What to Do Next: Selecting Your Plants
- Pick a color theme, such as "sunset tones" (oranges, yellows, and reds) or "cool pastels" (pinks, whites, and purples).
- Choose at least one early-blooming lily (Asiatic) and one late-blooming lily (Oriental).
- Select dahlia varieties that match the height of your chosen lilies.
- Check your garden space to ensure you have enough room for the mature width of the dahlias.
The Importance of Spacing and Depth
One of the most important factors in gardening success is giving each plant enough room to breathe. When you plant lilies and dahlias together, you need to consider how they grow underground as well as above ground.
Lilies grow from bulbs that should be planted relatively deep—usually about 6 to 8 inches down. Dahlias grow from tubers, which are thickened underground stems that look a bit like a bunch of sweet potatoes. Dahlia tubers should be planted more shallowly, with only about 4 to 6 inches of soil covering them.
Because they sit at different depths, their root systems don't compete as much as you might think. However, you should still leave plenty of horizontal space between them. We recommend spacing lilies about 8 to 12 inches apart. Dahlias need more elbow room because they grow into large bushes; most varieties should be spaced at least 18 to 24 inches apart.
When planting, try to stagger them. Instead of planting a straight row of lilies and a straight row of dahlias, plant them in "drifts" or triangular groups. This creates a more natural look and ensures that the dahlias don't completely shade out the lilies as they grow larger in the summer.
Key Takeaway: Proper spacing prevents "overcrowding," which is when plants are too close together. This allows for better air circulation and reduces the chance of leaves staying wet for too long.
Planting Steps for Success
Getting your plants off to a good start is the easiest way to ensure a beautiful summer display. Follow these simple steps to plant your lilies and dahlias together.
Step 1: Prepare the Soil
Before you start digging, it is a good idea to How to Prepare Soil for Planting. Most garden soil benefits from a few inches of compost mixed into the top 10 inches. Compost helps the soil hold onto the right amount of moisture while also making it easier for water to drain away. If your soil feels very heavy or sticky (like clay), adding compost is even more important.
Step 2: Plant the Lilies First
In many regions, lilies can be planted in either the fall or the early spring. If you are planting them in the spring, try to get them in the ground as soon as the soil is workable and no longer frozen. For a step-by-step walk-through, see How to Plant and Grow Lilies. Dig your holes 6 to 8 inches deep, place the lily bulb with the pointy end facing up, and cover with soil.
Step 3: Plant the Dahlias Once the Soil Warms
Dahlias are more sensitive to cold than lilies. Wait to plant your dahlia tubers until the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up to about 60°F. If you plant them in cold, wet soil, the tubers may sit dormant for too long. Place the tuber horizontally in a hole about 4 to 6 inches deep, with the "eye" (the small bump where the sprout will emerge) facing upward.
Step 4: Water Carefully
After planting, give the area a good soak to settle the soil around the bulbs and tubers. After that first watering, you can usually wait to water again until you see the first sprouts emerging from the ground. Overwatering before the plants have leaves can cause the bulbs to stay too wet.
Water and Fertilizer Requirements
Both lilies and dahlias are "heavy feeders," which means they use a lot of energy to produce those spectacular flowers. Providing them with the right nutrients and moisture will keep them healthy throughout the season.
Watering Deeply
Instead of giving your garden a light sprinkle every day, it is better to water deeply once or twice a week. "Deep watering" means letting the water soak far down into the soil to reach the roots. This encourages the plants to grow deep roots, which makes them more resilient during hot, dry spells. If the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, it is usually time to water.
Feeding Your Plants
We recommend using a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting time. Once the plants are about a foot tall and starting to grow rapidly, you can apply a water-soluble fertilizer every few weeks. Look for a fertilizer where the middle number (phosphorus) is a bit higher than the first number (nitrogen). This encourages more flowers rather than just more green leaves.
Managing Pests and Maintaining Health
Every gardener deals with a few pests now and then, but keeping your plants healthy is the best defense. When dahlias and lilies are grown together, they can occasionally attract similar visitors, like aphids.
Aphids are tiny, soft-bodied insects that like to suck the sap from new growth. A strong spray of water from a garden hose is often enough to knock them off the plants. You can also encourage "beneficial insects," such as ladybugs, which love to eat aphids.
Another common task is "deadheading." This simply means cutting off the flowers once they have finished blooming. For lilies, snip off the flower head but leave the green stem and leaves alone. The plant needs those leaves to gather energy for next year’s blooms. For dahlias, cutting off the old flowers actually encourages the plant to grow even more buds. The more you cut dahlia flowers for bouquets, the more the plant will bloom!
Support and Staking
Because both dahlias and lilies can grow quite tall and produce heavy flowers, they often need a little extra support. For dahlia-specific tips, see How to Pinch and Stake Dahlias. This is especially true if you live in a windy area. Staking your plants prevents them from flopping over after a heavy summer rain.
For lilies, a simple bamboo stake pushed into the ground near the stem (be careful not to poke the bulb!) and a bit of garden twine is usually enough. For dahlias, it is best to put the stake in the ground at the same time you plant the tuber. This way, you won't accidentally drive the stake through the tuber later in the season. As the dahlia grows, you can loosely tie the main stems to the stake every 12 inches or so.
Key Takeaway: Providing support early in the season ensures your plants stay upright and beautiful, even when they are loaded with heavy blooms.
Handling the End of the Season
As the weather cools in the autumn, lilies and dahlias handle the change differently. Understanding these differences will help you prepare for the following year.
Lilies are hardy perennials in most parts of the United States (typically USDA zones 4 through 9). This means the bulbs can stay in the ground all winter. If you're not sure about your growing zone, check the Hardiness Zone Map. Once the stems have turned completely yellow or brown in late autumn, you can cut them down to the ground. They will rest over the winter and pop back up again in the spring.
Dahlias are a bit different. They are tropical plants that cannot survive freezing temperatures in the ground (except in very warm climates like zones 9 or 10). In most areas, you will need to dig up the dahlia tubers after the first frost has killed the foliage. Clean off the soil, let them dry in a cool, dark place, and store them in a box with some peat moss or vermiculite over the winter. For step-by-step storage details, see How to Overwinter Dahlias. You can then replant them the following spring.
Because you have to dig up the dahlias but leave the lilies, it is helpful to remember exactly where each one is planted. Using small garden markers can help you avoid accidentally digging up your lily bulbs while you are trying to find your dahlia tubers.
Growing in Containers
If you don't have a large garden bed, you can still enjoy this combination in pots. Growing dahlias and lilies in containers is a great way to decorate a porch, deck, or balcony.
Choosing the Right Pot
When planting in containers, bigger is almost always better. A large pot holds more soil, which stays moist longer and gives the roots more room to grow. Make sure your container has drainage holes in the bottom so excess water can escape.
Selecting Compact Varieties
For the best results in pots, look for "border" or "patio" varieties. Asiatic lilies like the 'Joy' series or dwarf dahlias stay naturally shorter and sturdier. They won't require the heavy staking that tall varieties need and won't look "top-heavy" in a pot.
Container Care
Plants in containers dry out much faster than those in the ground. During the heat of summer, you may need to water your pots every day. You will also need to fertilize more frequently, as watering washes nutrients out of the soil over time. A liquid fertilizer applied every two weeks is usually sufficient.
Creating Beautiful Bouquets
One of the greatest rewards of planting dahlias and lilies together is having a constant supply of fresh flowers for your home. Both make excellent cut flowers and have a long vase life.
When cutting lilies, wait until the first bud on the stem is just beginning to open and show its color. This ensures the flowers will open fully in the vase and last for a week or more. When cutting dahlias, wait until the flower is almost fully open, as they don't open much once they are removed from the plant.
If you are worried about lily pollen staining your tablecloth or clothes, you can gently snip off the "anthers"—the little pollen-covered tips in the center of the flower—as soon as they open. This doesn't hurt the flower and keeps things tidy. Combining the spicy scent of Oriental lilies with the bold colors of dahlias makes for a spectacular centerpiece that we know you will love.
Summary of Success
Planting dahlias and lilies together is an easy and rewarding way to elevate your garden. By following a few simple steps, you can create a high-impact display that lasts all season long.
- Select a sunny spot: Ensure the area gets at least 6 hours of direct sun.
- Prioritize drainage: Use compost to make sure the soil doesn't stay soggy.
- Give them space: Allow for the mature width of the dahlia bushes.
- Plant at the right time: Lilies early in spring, dahlias once the soil is warm.
- Provide support: Stake tall varieties early to prevent damage from wind or rain.
- Feed and water: Water deeply and use a balanced fertilizer for the best blooms.
Conclusion
Gardening should be a source of joy and relaxation, not a complicated chore. Combining dahlias and lilies is a perfect example of how choosing the right companions can make your garden more beautiful with less effort. These two plants work together to fill your yard with color, fragrance, and texture from the first days of summer until the arrival of autumn's chill.
At Longfield Gardens, we want to help you feel confident in your garden choices. Learn more About Us. By starting with high-quality bulbs and tubers and following these straightforward tips, you can achieve a professional-looking landscape that you will be proud to share with friends and neighbors. The combination of elegant lilies and cheerful dahlias is a timeless choice that never fails to impress.
"The secret to a great garden isn't about having a green thumb; it's about choosing plants that like to live together and giving them the space they need to shine."
Now that you know how easy it is to grow these two together, why not try a new color combination this year? Start planning your summer display today and look forward to a season filled with spectacular blooms.
FAQ
Will dahlia tubers and lily bulbs get tangled if I plant them together?
As long as you follow the recommended spacing, their root systems should not interfere with each other. Because lilies are planted deeper (6-8 inches) and dahlia tubers are shallower (4-6 inches), they occupy different levels of the soil. Just be sure to give them 12 to 24 inches of horizontal space to ensure they have enough room to grow.
Do I need to dig up both the lilies and the dahlias in the winter?
In most parts of the U.S., lilies are hardy and can stay in the ground all year round. Dahlias, however, are tender and will need to be dug up and stored indoors if you live in a climate where the ground freezes. If you live in a very warm area (Zones 9-11), you may be able to leave both in the ground.
Can I plant lilies and dahlias in the same large container?
Yes, you can plant them together in a large container that is at least 15-18 inches in diameter. We suggest using one dahlia in the center and 3 to 5 lilies around the perimeter. Choose dwarf or compact varieties for the best results in a pot, as they will stay a manageable size and won't require heavy staking.
Which blooms first, the lily or the dahlia?
Typically, lilies will bloom first. Asiatic lilies usually start the show in June or early July, followed by Oriental and Trumpet lilies. Dahlias generally start blooming in mid-to-late July and continue until the first frost. This overlap creates a seamless transition of color in your garden throughout the summer months.