Category Archives: Lily Bulbs

Manipulation of flowering times

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This question was asked by
– john waddington

Having seen your displays at several shows both early and late in the seasons it is evident that you have some experience of ‘timing’ the flowering of certain cultivars. I am a keen grower of the lily (Orientals mainly) and also like to exhibit flowers at the local horticultural show, can you give any general advice regarding planting times/how to stagger those times to achieve flowers in bloom …say for early September
-most of mine want to start flowering in mid July and have been and gone by the end of
August
regards John
ps i’ll see you at Harrogate as usual

Hi John
We would advise planting your lilies a lot later in the season for September flowering. Usually about 12 weeks before you wish to see them in flower, try planting yours early June and hopefully they will be ready for your display.
See you at Harrogate!

Loraine Hart

Neem Oil

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This question was asked by
– carole jones

Have you any experience of using Neem oil diluted and sprayed on fortnightly as a preventive for lily beetle? I am led to believe it interferes with beetle feeding and reproduction. I have just ordered some for use initially with fritillaries and later with lilies but would be very interested in any observations you could make. Thanks

Yes we highly recommend Neem oil, it is a brilliant prevention for Lily Beetle. We have tried and tested it with fantastic results and, incidentally, we will be selling Neem Oil along with our lily and fritillairia bulbs at the shows this year!

Thanks for your question!
Loraine Hart

Lilies repotting and timing advice

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This question was asked by
– Derek Cross

Hi
I’m overwintering my lilies that are in large pots in an unheated garden shed. Later I will be removing some the potting compost and adding new compost plus some slow-release fertiliser.
(A) Do you agree with this method?
(B) I’d like to bring two or three pots into my heated greenhouse to start them a little earlier. Is this OK and when should I do this?
Many thanks for your advice, Derek.

Hi Derek
Yes – this sounds perfect! It’s always a good idea to add some fresh compost and slow-release fertiliser to your lily bulbs. Bringing your pots into a heated greenhouse now will be absolutely fine aswell and will encourage your lilies to flower earlier than normal.

Best wishes
Loraine Hart

Tree like Lily Bulb Collection (Pack of 12 Bulbs)

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This question was asked by
– Mrs Margaret Brown

How do I plant tree lilly bulbs?
How deep, space apart etc?

Oriental Trumpet (Tree-like) Lily Bulbs should be planted in the Spring.
Find a location with full sun or partial shade with well-drained soil.
Oriental Trumpet Lilies can tolerate most soil types, Acidic or Alkaline.
Arrange the Lilies in an odd-number grouping.
If planting in the garden, plant the bulbs about 8″ apart. Space the groupings at least 3 feet apart.
If planting in pots, plant 3 bulbs in a 10-14″ ‘patio type’ pot using good-quality, multi-purpose compost.
Plant the bulbs with 4-6″ of soil above them.

Kind regards
Loraine Hart

Lily bulbs

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This question was asked by
– Jennifer Hensley

I want to order Lily bulbs to plant in February in a small area. Can you suggest shorter varieties with vibrant colour for summer – Autumn flowering?

Good Evening
Our Asiatic lilies are the most vibrant in colour and the ‘Tiny Series’ are the shorter varieties. All our lilies will grow next Summer:

Forever Susan (harts1133)
Lion Heart (SKU17655)
Tiny ‘Nugget’ (SKU17791)
Tiny ‘Epic’ (SKU17790)
Tiny ‘Ghost’ (SKU17736)
Hope you find something you like.
Loraine Hart

Query on pests

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This question was asked by
– Jan

Hi,
Can you tell me which lilies (or which type) don’t attract lily beetle?
Thanks

Hi there,
Unfortunately, they seem to like all types of Lilies, however, after testing we discovered that lily beetles are not attracted as much to the Trumpet lilies, like Regale.

Regale (harts1024)
African Queen group (harts1021)
‘Perfect Pinks’ Lily Collection (Pack of 8 Bulbs) (SKU177281)
Loraine Hart

Advice on preparing lilies for overwintering

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This question was asked by
– Frances

Hi there,
I bought a couple of lily collections from you last year at the Wisley flower show – they’ve made a fantastic display in the garden this year. Thank you.
This has been my first experience with growing lilies and I am a little confused now with how far to cut them back in preparation for winter.
I have read lots of advice about pruning the seed heads and “allowing the foliage to die back naturally” but once the foliage has begun to turn brown, how much of the main stem or stalk should be cut back?
Hope you can help.

Hi there,
When the Lily has finished flowering, cut any seed heads back and allow the foliage to die back naturally as you say. Do not be tempted to cut the stem back until stems become hollow and brown. Once this has happened, you can cut the stem back to the service or leave about an inch of stem.

https://www.hartsnursery.co.uk/Care-and-Planting-Guide.html
Kind regards
Loraine Hart

Soil Preparation for Lilies

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This question was asked by
– Tony Reeves

My garden is an alkali clay, so I grow my lilies in a 10ft by 3ft raised bed. L. Lechtlinii and Orange Tiger thrive, but Asiatic lilies do not. What soil proportions do you recommend for your Asiatic lilies?

Hello there,
Thank you for your question. The ideal pH level for all lilies is 5.5 to 6.5. Mix in some John Innes No.3 with your soil and this should help with your Asiatic Lilies.

Many thanks
Asiatic Lily Bulb Collection (Pack of 12 Bulbs) (harts1154)
Loraine Hart

Replanting lilies

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This question was asked by
– Jane Dickson

For the first time ever I have grown quite a few lilies this year and have been very pleased with the results however, I want to replant them into a different position. I have cut the flower off and left the stalk to die down but at what point do I dig them up and replant them?
thank you
Jane

Hi Jane
I would ensure the stem has died back completely, this is usually by the end of Autumn.
Kind regards

Loraine Hart

Tree lilies

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This question was asked by
– Deborah Dyson (Mrs)

I have two enormous tree lilies in pots which present problems in very windy weather, trying to keep them from falling over.
All your beautiful lilies seem to require acidic soil. Here in Dorset we have chalk and clay. Are there any which will survive and flourish on this kind of alkaline soil or must I continue with pots?

Hi Deborah
Tree-like lilies (Oriental Trumpets) will grow in any soil which makes them ideal for the garden. Just make sure the soil is well drained.
We have a great off on Tree lilies:
‘Tree like’ Lily Bulb Collection (Pack of 12 Bulbs) (harts1152)
Kind regards

Loraine Hart