Lilies can intimidate new gardeners, who often imagine they must be difficult to grow. The truth is, modern lilies are simple to grow and very rewarding. Plant loose bulbs now and they should be in bloom by early summer.
Lilies are at their best growing in the garden. They dislike overly wet soil, so find a spot that is well drained – a slope is perfect. Cover bulbs with a 15cm layer of compost to keep them cool, and don’t disturb the bulbs for at least six years. Feed them with bulb food each spring as the leaves emerge. Over time, the bulbs will get bigger, the stems will thicken, the number of flowers will increase to the point where you may have up to 45 blooms on each stem, and the plant may reach more than two metres in height.
Lilies love growing in pots, making them perfect for a sunny deck, terrace or balcony. You’ll need three bulbs, a 25cm-wide pot and a bag of the best potting mix available. Plant all bulbs 10cm deep in your pot then feed with some liquid bulb food. Once stems have grown to 10cm high, attach each to its own slim 60cm-long stake. Also place some moss on the top of the soil at this stage – this will act as mulch to lock in soil moisture. Water once a week, taking care not to over-water. For bigger and better blooms, repeat the liquid bulb food every two weeks.
Watch out for snails and slugs as they find the new shoots of lilies delicious to eat. Protect potted plants by placing shade cloth in the base of the pot to prevent slugs from entry. Snail and slug pellets will protect garden lilies; if you do see snails, pick them off.
Lilies need to be kept moist at all times during the growing period. This protects against stunted growth, streaked yellow foliage and the flowers not opening. Try to keep foliage dry when watering, especially at night, to avoid leaf fungal diseases.
When planting lilies in the garden, it's a good idea to use a plastic support. Lilies will grow through the support, receiving stability from the frame. This helps to prevent stems from breaking because of a heavy flower load.
Call or visit the website of any of these Lilium suppliers to find out more and request a catalogue.
Van Diemen Quality Bulbs
Wynyard , Tasmania
Golden Ray Gardens
Olinda , Victoria
Monbulk , Victoria
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All you need is a bulb from the supermarket and a patch of dirt