Anouska lilies

This question was asked by
Isobel

Hi there
my anouska lily flowers have died off,I have to pinch heads off and leave full stalks is this right? I have them in one tub,they were gorgeous and the smell unbelievable,now my question,do I bring my tub inside for winter and when and how far down will I cut stalks fully,I have ordered more different ones for planting Feb,thank you for all your advise this year as it was my first time growing anything, as I only have small balcony and I was so pleased,izzy xx

You’re welcome Izzy – glad to hear how happy you have been. Anouska is just gorgeous isn’t it!

Yes, cut the flower head off and leave the foliage and stem to die back naturally. When it all becomes brown and the stem is hollow, it can all be removed. The stalk should just pull out quite easily at this point or you can cut it off at the surface level if you wish. Lily bulbs like a cold dormant phase and can stand -20°c, they just don’t want to get waterlogged so ensure there is plenty of drainage in your pot.

The Hart Family

Which bulbs to purchase

This question was asked by
Bob

Could you please advise which scented varieties are good to grow in pots inside a g/house & outside?

Hi Bob

Do you wish to have autumn planted bulbs or spring planted bulbs? We now have a great filter engine on our website where you can choose if they are scented or not. Most bulbs are ideal for pots. It also says on our website on each page whether they are suitable for containers. If you would like any further advice, please let me know.

AUTUMN PLANTED BULBS

SPRING PLANTED BULBS

The Hart Family

Lilies

This question was asked by
Sally-Anne Hoyle

Hello, I live in the Highlands of Scotland, within the Cairngorms National Park.
I purchased lots of lilies from you earlier this year and have planted the majority of them in pots. I think that I was a little late with my planting and some of them have yet to flower and probably will not do so before the first frosts, even though they have lots of buds on them.. How should I treat my lily bulbs going into the winter? Will they survive in their pots? Should I bring the pots inside? What should I do with the ones which have not flowered? The ones which have flowered have been marvellous and I would be sad to loose them. Thank you, Sally-Anne

Hi Sally-Anne

Hopefully your lilies will flower soon, leave them to do their thing this year and allow them to die back naturally. Once everything has died back and turned brown, it can be removed. The bulbs themselves can stay outside during the winter. In fact lilies like a cold dormant phase and can withstand -20°c, they just don’t like to get wet. If the bulbs become waterlogged, they will rot. So ensure there is plenty of drainage. Tilting pots on their side or bringing them under shelter can also help.

The Hart Family

Eucomis

This question was asked by
Rosey Thompson

Hi. My eucomis bicolour from yourself did magnificently. Could you tell me the best way to keep them over winter?
Do I cut all the foliage off and take the bulbs up? They are in a pot.
Thank you
Rosey

Good afternoon
Leave your Eucomis to die back naturally.
Eucomis may need protecting over winter. Apply a mulch to protect from hard frosts. Cover with 10cm thick of bark or leaf mould.
Containers can be kept in a frost-free place over winter, bring them into shelter from October. Allow the compost to dry out for the bulbs to become dormant.
If you wish to lift them, dry the bulbs off and store them in a frost-free place such a shed or greenhouse.
In the spring, give your pots a top dress with a general fertiliser like Growmore.

The Hart Family

‘Tree like’ Lily Bulbs

This question was asked by
Sharon Chatterton

Hi, I’m after some tree lily bulbs but am assuming that it’s a bit late for planting them out now? If I order now could you tell me when they would be dispatched or am I better waiting until next year to order?

Hi there

You can pre-order your tree lilies now for dispatch in February. We can sell out so sometimes it is best to pre-order them to ensure you get the varieties that you want.

Tree-like Lilies

The Hart Family

Amazing lilies

This question was asked by
Mandy

I had some amazing lilies from you last year for the first time. Superb. Posted each one on my Facebook page. There are couple I would like but see they are out of stock. Are you likely to get them in again, they are Holland Beauty, Eudoxia, Shocking? Thanks

I”m so pleased to hear how much you have enjoyed your lilies this year. Unfortunately, we won’t have those varieties available for Feb dispatch. Have you seen Candy Club, Flashpoint or Olympic Torch?

Lily ‘Candy Club’ (harts10261)

Lily ‘Flashpoint’ (SKU17615)

Lily ‘Olympic Torch’ (harts1132)

Or Valverde which is similar to Eudoxia?

Lily ‘Valverde’ (SKU176481)

The Hart Family

Just saying Thank you!

This question was asked by
Jean Davis

This message is just to say a very big thankyou for all my bulbs. They all look very healthy and I can’t wait until next spring to reap the rewards. I will recommend you to my friends

Hi Jean

Thank you so much for your lovely words and for taking the time to message us. We really do appreciate it! It certainly puts a smile on our faces! Enjoy your bulbs.

The Hart Family

Choosing lilies

This question was asked by
Paul B

Hi could you help me select Lilies Longiflorum and advise which are autumn and which are Spring planters and general welfare advice.
Many thanks , Paul

Hi Paul

The only lily we have for planting in the Autumn is the Madonna Lily as this is a slightly earlier flowering Lily.

All the other lilies we have, will be dispatched in February ready for planting,

All lilies are easy to grow. The hybrid lilies are the easiest as they like any soil type as are the Longiflorum Lily Bulbs, which are lime tolerant and therefore suitable for borders or pots in either Alkaline or Acidic soils that are well drained.

All our Longiflorum Lilies are white and carry a gorgeous fragrance.

Longiflorum Lilies

Lilium Candidum (Madonna Lily)

The Hart Family

flame lily tubers

This question was asked by
Martin

To whom it may concern.

I would be very grateful for your advice, please.

Months ago you kindly sent me some Flame Lily tubers…to great success…the flowers are breathtaking!

Once the flowers are over and the leaves dried down…how should I look after the tubers with a view to growing more again next year? (Assuming that they do
flower a second time)

Best Wishes

Martin

Good afternoon,
After your Gloriosa has finished flowering for the season, leave the foliage in place; don’t cut it off. The leaves will gather sunlight, create food through photosynthesis and strengthen the bulb for the future.
Leaves and stalks may be removed when they yellow.
Gloriosa Lily Bulbs don’t like to get too cold, therefore if the temperature drops to -7 degrees, you’ll need to lift Gloriosa lily bulbs and store them indoors in ever so slightly damp peat moss. Or you can just replace them next spring for another year of winged blooms.
Your Gloriosa lilies will rest for a few months before beginning the next growing cycle in the spring/summer.
TAKE CARE NOT to touch the growing points on the bulbs; bumping and abraiding this area tends to reduce sprouting.

The Hart Family