Author Archives: Victoria Hart

Amaryllis Belladonna

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This question was asked by
– Richard C – 

Hello, our Jersey lily in a pot outside has just started to appear is this normal for November? It did not flower last year.
Thank you

Amaryllis Belladonna

Hello,

Yes, it can be normal for your Jersey lily (Amaryllis belladonna) to start showing growth in November. These plants are late-summer to autumn flowering bulbs, and sometimes the timing can vary depending on weather conditions and how the bulb has been cared for.

Since it didn’t flower last year, it’s not unusual—Jersey lilies can sometimes skip a season, especially if they were stressed, planted too deeply, or had unusual weather patterns. As long as the leaves and shoots look healthy, your plant should still bloom.

Tips to encourage flowering:

  • Keep the pot outside in a sunny, well-drained spot.

  • Avoid overwatering; Jersey lilies prefer dry conditions in winter.

  • Ensure the bulb is not crowded in the pot; some may benefit from replanting.

The Hart Family

Begonias in basket

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This question was asked by
– lyn –

How many begonia corms do you put in a 16 inch basket?

 

Begonias in a basket

Hi there,

Here’s a good guideline for planting begonia corms into a 16-inch hanging basket:

    • Begonias like to have space to grow, so allow 8–12 inches between corms.

    • For a 16-inch basket, that usually means 3–5 corms, depending on how full you want the basket to look.

    • If you plant closer together (around 5 corms), the basket will fill out faster and give a dense, cascading display once the begonias mature.

      The Hart Family

Most fragrant lillies

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This question was asked by
– Billy

Hello

I am looking for the most fragrant lillies , that have a fragrance that waft across the garden.

Could you recommend a selection?

Do the double lillies have a weaker fragrance but a longer lasting flower?

All Oriental lilies are known for their strong, luxurious fragrance, making them one of the best choices if you’re looking to fill the garden with scent. As a general rule, the paler or whiter the lily, the stronger its perfume. This is because white lilies rely more on fragrance than colour to attract pollinators in nature, so they produce a richer, more noticeable scent.

Double Lilies and Roselilies are also beautifully fragrant. 

In short:

A perfect combination if you want both scent and show-stopping beauty in the garden.

The Hart Family

It’s November and my Roselily only has flower buds.

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This question was asked by
– Norman Lake

My rose lily planted in July has grown but only has a flower buds. Should I leave it to see if they will flower or should I cut off the buds to help the plant for next year

Thanks for your message!
If your Roselily has formed buds, it’s best to leave them on for now and let the plant decide what it can manage. If the weather stays mild, the buds may still open — lilies often surprise us late in the season!

If the buds don’t open and start to yellow or die back, you can then remove them so the plant can redirect its energy into the bulb for next year’s growth.

Either way, the plant will be absolutely fine for next year — just allow the foliage to die back naturally so it can feed the bulb.

The Hart Family

Dahlias

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This question was asked by
– Hayley J

Hi I was wondering if you can pre order dahalias for delivery next year.

Hi there,
We will be putting our Dahlias back in stock in the next few weeks. You can be notified by email when they are back in stock if you click on the button ‘tell me when this is back in stock’ on the product page.

Dahlias

Hope this helps

The Hart Family

How should I plant in a pot a big amaryllis

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This question was asked by
– Caroline – 

I have bought a pot just slightly bigger than the big bulb and some cactus compost. Where should I place it when its planted?

How to Plant an Amaryllis in a Pot

  • Choose the Right Pot:
    Pick a pot that’s about 2–3cm wider than the bulb with drainage holes at the bottom. Amaryllis like a snug fit!

  • Add Compost:
    Fill the pot with well-draining compost, such as bulb fibre or multipurpose compost mixed with grit.

  • Plant the Bulb:
    Place the bulb so that the top third stays above the soil. Gently firm the compost around it.

  • Water Lightly:
    Water sparingly until growth appears, then keep the compost slightly moist (but never soggy).

  • Find the Perfect Spot:
    Put your pot in a warm, bright place – a sunny windowsill is ideal.

  • Enjoy the Blooms:
    In about 6–10 weeks, you’ll be rewarded with tall stems and stunning, trumpet-shaped flowers!

The Hart Family

Roselily care

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This question was asked by
– Sharon J – 

Hi. I bought some bulbs at the RHS W-W show and planted them immediately as per instructions. They are growing well and have flower buds. Should I remove these to let the plants put energy back into the bulbs for next year, or let them get as far as they can given it is mid September?

Hi,

It’s great to hear your bulbs are growing so well! At this stage, it’s best to let the flower buds continue to develop. Once the flowers have finished, you can allow the foliage to die back naturally. This way, the plant can store energy back into the bulb for next year’s growth.

You don’t need to remove the buds now—just enjoy the flowers when they bloom and then let the leaves do their work. If the weather turns really cold, bring them flowers indoors to finish off flowering.

The Hart Family

Ginger Lily

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This question was asked by
– Susan A

I am trying to find on your web site the ginger Lillie’s which I would like to order but can’t find them please can you help

Hi there,
We will be putting our ginger Lilies back in stock in the next month or so. You can be notified by email when they are back in stock if you click on the button ‘tell me when this is back in stock’ on the product page.
Hedychium Gardnerianum The ‘Ginger Lily’ (SKU17815)

Ginger Lily

The Hart Family