If you have a narrow strip of land beside a fence, don't let it go to waste. That overlooked space can become one of the most beautiful features in your garden by planting rows of colorful lilies. With their tall stems, elegant flowers, and incredible fragrance, lilies create a spectacular living wall that blooms throughout summer.
One surprisingly helpful tool for planting dozens—or even hundreds—of bulbs is something most people already have at home: a simple paper egg carton. While egg cartons should not be planted with the bulbs, they are excellent organizers that make it much easier to arrange, count, and space bulbs before planting begins.
Whether you're planting a short backyard border or transforming an entire fence line, this simple trick can save time while helping you create a professional-looking flower display that returns every year.
Why Lilies Are Perfect for Fence Borders
Lilies are among the most impressive flowering bulbs you can grow. Their upright growth habit makes them ideal for narrow planting beds where space is limited but height is needed. Instead of spreading across the lawn, lilies grow upward, creating a colorful backdrop that softens fences, walls, and property lines.
Available in shades of white, pink, red, yellow, orange, and deep burgundy, lilies allow you to create endless color combinations. Many varieties also produce wonderfully fragrant flowers that perfume the garden during summer.
Unlike annual flowers that need replacing each year, true lilies are perennial bulbs. With proper planting and care, they return season after season, often producing even more blooms as the bulbs mature.
Why Use Egg Cartons?
Planting large numbers of bulbs can quickly become confusing. Bulbs roll around in buckets, different varieties become mixed together, and it becomes difficult to keep track of spacing.
Ordinary paper egg cartons solve these problems in a simple way.
Each compartment safely holds one bulb, preventing damage while making it easy to count exactly how many bulbs you have. If you're planting several colors or different lily varieties, you can keep each type in its own labeled carton. This makes transporting bulbs around the garden much easier and helps maintain your planting plan from start to finish.
Most importantly, laying the filled cartons across the planting bed lets you visualize the final design before digging a single hole.
When Is the Best Time to Plant Lily Bulbs?
Fall is generally considered the best time to plant lily bulbs because the soil is still warm enough for roots to develop before winter arrives.
Ideally, bulbs should be planted about four to six weeks before the first hard freeze in your area. In northern climates, this often means planting during September or October. Gardeners in warmer regions may continue planting through November or even early winter.
If you miss fall planting, don't worry. Lily bulbs can also be planted in early spring as soon as the ground can be worked.
Because lily bulbs don't have a protective outer covering like tulips or daffodils, they dry out more quickly. It's always best to plant them soon after purchasing.
Choosing the Perfect Planting Location
Location has a major impact on how well lilies perform.
Choose a site that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. A fence line is often an excellent location because it provides a clean background that highlights the flowers while offering some protection from strong winds.
Before planting, inspect the area after heavy rain. Avoid locations where water remains standing for long periods. Lily bulbs dislike soggy conditions and may rot if planted in poorly drained soil.
Leave enough space between the fence and the mature plants to allow good airflow and make future maintenance easier.
Preparing the Planting Bed
A beautiful flower border begins with healthy soil.
Remove all grass, weeds, and old roots from the planting area. Instead of digging individual holes one at a time, prepare the entire bed from end to end.
Loosen the soil to a depth of at least ten inches so roots can spread easily. Mix compost into the existing soil to improve fertility and drainage without creating overly rich conditions.
If your soil contains heavy clay or drains poorly, consider building a slightly raised planting bed. Better drainage will greatly improve the long-term health of your lily bulbs.
Organizing Bulbs With Egg Cartons
Once your planting bed is ready, begin filling the egg cartons.
Place one bulb into each compartment with the pointed end facing upward. The cartons keep bulbs separated, preventing them from rolling around while making it easy to count your planting stock.
If you're working with several colors, dedicate one carton to each variety and label them clearly.
This simple organization method becomes especially valuable when planting dozens or even hundreds of bulbs along a long fence line.
Plan the Layout Before Planting
One of the biggest advantages of using egg cartons is the ability to preview your entire planting design.
Lay the filled cartons across the prepared bed and move them around until you're happy with the arrangement.
Instead of placing all the white lilies together and all the red lilies in another section, create repeating groups of different colors throughout the border. This produces a more natural appearance and allows the colors to flow across the entire garden.
Step back several times while arranging the cartons to see how the border will look from different viewing angles.
Should Egg Cartons Be Buried?
Although paper egg cartons eventually decompose, they should not be planted with the bulbs.
Their purpose is simply to organize and arrange the bulbs before planting.
Once you've finalized the layout, remove each bulb from the carton and plant it individually at the proper depth and spacing. Afterward, recycle or compost the empty cartons.
This approach gives every bulb enough room for healthy root development and prevents unnecessary moisture from collecting around the bulbs.
Plant Bulbs at the Correct Depth
Correct planting depth helps lilies develop strong stems and healthy roots.
A general rule is to plant each bulb approximately three times deeper than the bulb's height.
Position every bulb with the pointed tip facing upward and the flat base downward. Backfill with loose soil and gently firm the surface without compacting it.
If your lily bulbs came with variety-specific planting instructions, always follow those recommendations.
Give Lilies Enough Room to Grow
Freshly planted bulbs may appear far apart, but remember that mature lilies become much larger than the bulbs themselves.
Proper spacing allows air to circulate around the foliage, reducing disease while encouraging stronger stems and better flowering.
Avoid the temptation to crowd bulbs together simply to create an immediate full appearance.
Giving plants adequate space results in healthier, longer-lasting displays.
Create a Layered Garden Design
If your planting bed is wide enough, arrange lilies according to their mature height.
Place the tallest varieties nearest the fence. Medium-sized lilies belong in the center, while shorter varieties should be planted closer to the lawn or pathway.
Layering creates depth, ensures every flower remains visible, and gives the planting a more professional landscape appearance.
Water Properly After Planting
After planting, water the entire bed thoroughly.
This helps settle the soil around the bulbs while removing large air pockets that could interfere with root growth.
Throughout the growing season, keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. Deep watering encourages strong root systems and healthier flowering stems.
Try to water at the base of the plants rather than spraying the leaves whenever possible.
Add Mulch for Long-Term Success
Applying a light layer of mulch helps maintain consistent soil moisture while reducing weed growth.
Shredded bark, compost, pine needles, or leaf mold all work well.
Keep mulch a few inches away from emerging shoots and avoid piling thick layers directly against the fence.
Support Tall Lilies Before They Bloom
Some lily varieties can grow over six feet tall, especially Oriental and trumpet hybrids.
Installing stakes while plants are still young prevents damage from heavy flowers and strong summer storms.
Use soft plant ties and leave enough room for stems to grow naturally.
Extend Bloom Time Throughout Summer
Rather than planting only one lily variety, combine early, mid-season, and late-blooming types.
As one group finishes flowering, another begins opening, providing weeks of continuous color instead of one short blooming period.
Mixing different bloom times also creates a more valuable food source for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.
Leave the Foliage After Blooming
Once the flowers fade, remove only the spent blooms.
Do not cut back the green leaves and stems immediately.
The foliage continues producing energy through photosynthesis, storing nutrients inside the bulb for next year's flowers.
Wait until the leaves naturally turn yellow before cutting the stems back near ground level.
Refresh the Border Every Few Years
As lilies mature, some clumps may become crowded.
If flowering begins to decline, carefully lift and divide healthy bulbs during the appropriate season before replanting them with better spacing.
Add a light layer of compost around established plants each year to replenish nutrients while avoiding excessive soil buildup over the bulbs.
Regular inspection also allows you to identify drainage problems, weak plants, or pests before they become serious issues.
Why the Egg Carton Method Works
Large bulb planting projects often feel overwhelming.
Using egg cartons simplifies the entire process by allowing you to organize, count, transport, and arrange bulbs before planting begins.
Instead of guessing where each bulb should go, you can preview the entire design, adjust the spacing, and create balanced color patterns across the entire fence line.
Combined with proper planting techniques, this inexpensive household item helps produce a stunning summer display filled with colorful blooms that return year after year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant lily bulbs directly inside paper egg cartons?
No. Egg cartons are best used as temporary organizers. Remove each bulb before planting so it can be placed at the correct depth and spacing.
How deep should lily bulbs be planted?
A common guideline is to plant bulbs about three times as deep as their height, although the exact depth may vary depending on the variety.
Do lilies need full sun?
Most lilies perform best with at least six hours of direct sunlight each day while growing in well-drained soil.
How far apart should lily bulbs be spaced?
Most varieties should be spaced about 8 to 12 inches apart to provide adequate airflow and room for mature growth.
Will lilies come back every year?
Yes. Most true lilies are hardy perennial bulbs that return annually when planted in suitable conditions and cared for properly.
Can I plant different lily colors together?
Absolutely. Mixing colors throughout the border creates a more natural and visually appealing display than planting each color in separate blocks.
Final Thoughts
Creating a breathtaking wall of lilies doesn't require expensive landscaping equipment or complicated measuring tools. With healthy bulbs, well-prepared soil, and a few ordinary paper egg cartons, you can organize even the largest planting projects with ease.
By planning your layout in advance, planting each bulb at the correct depth, providing adequate spacing, and allowing the foliage to mature naturally after flowering, you'll enjoy a vibrant fence border that returns with even greater beauty every summer. The egg carton method is a simple gardening trick, but it's one that can transform an ordinary strip of land into a spectacular floral showcase that becomes the highlight of your landscape.
