Gardening with lilies - planting May to September

Lilies have been part of history and culture dating from the Minoan Period. Representations of the lily were found in a villa in Crete dated around 1580BC.

It was the Minoan sacred flower, attributed to a Minoan Goddess Britomartis or Dictynna who, in turn, had her origin in Neolithic times. In Greek mythology the lily was dedicated to the goddess Hera, the wife of Zeus and the Romans associate it with Venus and the satyrs, the personification of ‘lustful ardour’.

It was also a popular flower in ancient Jewish civilization and is is mentioned in the old and new testaments. With Christianity, the lily became the symbol of chastity and virtue closely associated with the Virgin Mary. In Greek marriage ceremonies the priest places over the brides head a crown of lilies garnished with ears of wheat, as a symbol of purity and abundance. Lilies are also a symbol of death, and at one time lilies were placed on the graves of young innocents.

How to grow
Lilies are very easy to grow, flourishing in a sunny garden with well-drained humus rich soil. If your soil is heavy add gravel or sand to improve drainage and promote vigorous growth. They prefer their ‘heads in the sun and feet in the shade’ so mulch well after planting. Fertilise with Blood and Bone when they come into growth in the spring but do not use sheep, cattle or fowl manures.

A little dried blood will produce large and showy blooms. They can be planted from May through to September.

The usual planting depth is about twice size of the bulb, that is 6 – 10cm below the soil. The will look odd standing alone on their long stalks so are shown to best advantage when planted in groups within the mass of the garden border.

Allow the stems to die back naturally. When the foliage turns brown they are ready for pruning. Lift and replant every four to five years. When replanting, dig the bulbs up in winter and replant immediately. Do not store the bulbs or allow them to dry out.

Types to plant
Lilium regale is our true Christmas lily with the pink staining on the outside of the petals and so very popular for its ease of cultivation, display of long glistening flowers and for their heady perfume.

Lilium longiflorum is the pure white variety also flowering over December and has a sweet honeysuckle fragrance.

Good drainage is imperative as the plants will die if they become waterlogged.

Container planting
Lilies make good plants for containers (fantastic for apartment living) and we recommend the variety ‘White Christmas’ as it is shorter growing, about 35cm.

Plant the bulbs into deep containers of bulb mix in autumn, to a depth of about 10cm. Apply a slow-release fertiliser in spring. Repot every few years in fresh bulb mix.

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