When to cut back lilies – and which parts to avoid trimming if you want them to bloom again next year

Pink and white oriental lilies growing in garden border.

Figuring out when to cut back lilies isn't easy – and getting it wrong could mean the difference between successful flowers and cop-outs next year.

Learning how to deadhead lilies is one thing, but if you're keen to cut your plants back to encourage them to flower again next year, timing is everything. When it comes to lilies, though, 'cutting back' isn't what it sounds like – and you'll need to leave certain parts of the plant alone.