News: Focus On Lilies

Focus on Lilies

The drier weather at last gives us a chance to carry out a little garden maintenance. If the ground is too wet, be patient, you can do more harm than good. This week my focus is on lilies, one of the most satisfying of all plants to grow.

Globally, lilies rank as the fourth most popular flower. At first this struck me as rather surprising until I factored in the huge volume grown as cut flowers. This has always worked against the gardener; the bulbs are much cheaper but are dominated by varieties with upward facing flowers (far easier to cut and package) rather than the outward or downward facing flowers that are generally better suited to the garden. The increase in smaller artisan growers over the last few years, perhaps due to a more mobile economy, is somewhat reversing this trend, they deserve our support.

Lilies are an ideal border plant, their exquisite flowers, exotic fragrances, varying heights and shapes, and amazing colour spectrum make them a perfect focal point for any border. Their general preference is for their roots to be in the shade and their heads in the sun. Work humus rich compost into the border prior to planting for they enjoy a moisture holding rather than a rich soil. If you garden on heavy soil, plant on a layer of sand to improve drainage. Alternatively, if drainage is really a problem plant them in pots which can then be sunk in the border. Pots can also be added to the border once your spring bulbs have finished. Planting among small shrubs and dwarf conifers is particularly effective and will help hide the pots. Additionally, the roots of the shrub help with the soil structure and aid drainage. Do note that whilst they enjoy the company of other plants they do not like to be crowded out.

Bulb sizes can vary significantly between species, but all lilies benefit from deep planting. As a rule of thumb plant at a depth of three times the size of the bulb. However, don’t plant deeper than soil conditions and cultivation allow. Most lilies can adjust their depth in the soil through their root system once established. Most lilies make basal and then stem roots when they start to grow in the spring. A top dressing in the spring is essential to maintain vigorous growth.

For anyone that has a problem with lily pollen there is our pollen free range that is always worthy of attention.
Enjoy your garden,
Chris Blom