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L. 'Expressionism'
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Cultivation
When to Plant
Buy in autumn or early winter and plant immediately in a prepared site. Lilies have no outer covering and will dry out unless protected, the reason for the sawdust of moss in the packet. Avoid dry or damaged bulbs.
If your soil is cold and damp, store the lilies in a frost-free place and plant in spring or plant in pots and transfer to the garden once the soil has warmed.
Where to Plant
Plant in free draining fertile soil that is neutral to acid, only the Oriental lilies (L. speciosum and L. auratum require lime-free conditions). Add a well-rotted organic matter or compost (never fresh manure) and sharp sand if drainage is suspect. Grit in the base of the planting hole will further improve drainage - rotting is a common cause of failure with lilies. If you have very heavy soil you can either lift the bulbs and store covered with damp sawdust in a cool place, or treat as a annual and replant each season.
Lilies prefer to have their heads in sun and their feet (bulbs) in cool shade. They are great candidates for interplanting with low shrubs or perennials. L. candidum (the Madonna lily) is the odd one out as it prefers a warm and open position.
How to Plant
Keep lily bulbs moist- there is no outer protective covering as with narcissi or tulips and they will be irreparably damaged if allowed to dry out. This is especially important before you plant, but also once in the ground you should ensure that the soil remains moist but not wet, which would cause rotting.
Plant the bulbs at three to four times their own depth, spaced at three times their diameter. Mulching with pea straw or other material will help to keep soil moist and prevent drying out. Stem rooting lilies are planted at 3 times their dept. L. candidum, again the odd one out, should be planted just below soil level.
After care
Water in dry weather and apply a mulch to retain soil moisture, but take care not to use mulches that will encourage fungal disease.
Stake lilies in windy conditions or in the herbaceous border as the stems carry quite a load of blooms.
Remove dead flower heads unless saving for seed, to save the plant putting energy into seed production. Do not cut down stems too early as the leaves are essential to replenish the bulb before winter, that fantastic flower comes from last season's stores.
Lilies should be divided every three to four years if over-crowded. Take care not to damage either the roots or the basal plate on the bulb. Replant as soon as possible to prevent drying out. | | |
