Lilies are especially susceptible to winter wet and the bulbs can rot. --If the ground is frozen (so the water is frozen, too), then it doesn't count. But the ground must be frozen down where the bulb is in the ground, not just the surface. -- Therefore watering in the late fall usually not a great idea. Remember water doesn't drain as easily in cold soil. Dianthus are also more susceptible to winter wet, compare to other perennials. My guess is that for whatever reason, your soil went into the winter more wet than usual, and/or didn't freeze as deeply(?) so water stayed in the liquid stage longer.
Maybe you had some abnormally heavy rains in late fall?
Maybe you watered in the mole repellent later in the fall than usual?
Or watered more heavily?
If you replanted your lilies last fall, this can add to the problem.
you shouldn't be fertilizing, either.