I know that here in Ontario last year was brutal and this year is one of the coldest on record. I have over 320 New lilies planted and no idea what will happen this year. last year was very cold and my oriental the one at least did exceptionally well.
I have heard many people lost their trumpet lilies last year here as well.
Normally you do not need mulch in zone 5 but I did this year and glad I did. We normally do not see wind chills at -43F...
they best part of all this is that the snow cover here is 5 feet.
they told me that the tulip tree that is 80 years old should have died in this cold brutal winter last year since it is not its zone. but I left all the leaves under it when I was busy moving in and forgot all about it and it saved it. They also told me that plants can learn to adapt to weather changes. Something the ministry of natural resources wants me to try is start some seedlings off the tulip tree. Since the tree was able to survive the winter maybe the seedlings could do the same. Not sure if lilies work the same as this.
I know that with all the snow this year there was not much problem at all with animals in the bulbs. I also plant one skunk bulb per flat bed of flowers to keep out all the pests and never ever lost a crocus even. the nurseries use them as well as some of the bigger lily growers too to protect the bulbs in the ground.
so will see what happens
I have 5 inches of coloured cedar mulch and not sure how much of it should be removed this spring........
they are calling for a late late spring here this year..... with the Great Lakes almost 90% ice covered it be later then usual.
