Category Archives: Lily Care

Advice about cutting roselilies

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This question was asked by
– Paul C

Hi. I planted out some roselilies for cutting in a cutting bed and I’ve just started bringing them in, delighted with the results.
I just want some advice about whether they will repeat flower next year and if there is any way I should cut or feed them to improve the chances. I am so delighted with them we will be buying new stock anyway but would like this to become a recurrent bed if at all possible. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Hi Paul
You need to leave a good amount of stem on the lilies to die back naturally to feed the bulb for the following year. If the lilies are cut too short then they probably won’t flower very well for a few years. I’d suggest leaving at least 2ft of stem if you can. You can give them a diluted tomato feed to help them every 2 weeks.

Samantha Roselily

The Hart Family

Lilly Nymph and Dalian

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This question was asked by
– C. Flower

Dear Harts Nursery,
I purchased the above lillies from yourselves earlier this year and planted in large terracotta pots.
This is the first time I have grown tree lillies, so am a complete novice.
They are growing well and have buds. Should I be feeding them and if so, how often and with what?

Kind regards,
Carolyn Flower

Hi Carolyn

Yes you can feed your tree lilies when you start to see signs of growth with a diluted tomato feed every 2 weeks.

Once they have finished flowering, snip off the flower heads and leave the stem and foliage to die back naturally before removing it all. This will feed the bulb for the following year.

Lily ‘Nymph’ (harts1027)

Nymph Lily

Lily ‘Dalian’ (SKU17770)

The Hart Family

How do I care for lilies in my garden after flowering?

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This question was asked by
– P. Chislett – 

Hi, it was good to see Loraine on television the other night at the show, now is that right that after flowering we are to cut of the flowering stalks. So miss seeing you at RHS Chelsea and now have to contend with having my beautiful lilies sent by post. Thank you very much.

Hi Patrick

Hope you are well. Hopefully we will be back at Chelsea next year.

Loraine on the BBC

BBC Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, 2021: Episode 1:

Yes cut the lily flower heads off from just below the flower and leave the stem and foliage to die back naturally. This will feed the bulb for the following year. You’ll notice the stem will turn brown and hollow, at this point you can remove it.

The Hart Family

Red Lily Beetle

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This question was asked by
– Pearl T

Is there a way to prevent lily beetles, I pick them off but they are devastating them?

Hi Pearl

Lily Beetles are such a pain aren’t they? To get rid of them, you could try making a garlic solution (crushed garlic and water) or purchasing our lily beetle prevention spray.

Lily Beetle Prevention Spray (SKU17972)

The Hart Family

Lily Beetle Advice

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This question was asked by
– Glenys –  

Hi, I am a lover of lilies but alas, so many succumb to the dreaded lily beetle. Apart from picking them off by hand which is never ending with the many that I grow, can you advise on any beetle resistant lilies and what sprays can be used/home made possibly, bearing in mind that I garden organically.

Thanks for your help, Glenys

You could try our lily beetle prevention spray which is environmentally friendly or you could make up your own garlic solution. Crush a whole corm of garlic in a small pan of boiling water. Allow to cool, strain and put in a small container in the fridge. When using, dilute three parts water to one part garlic solution. Spray often, every few days, especially when it has rained. There is a garlic product available in garden centres and stores, but this is a much cheaper alternative.

Lily beetle

The Hart Family

FAQ on growing lilies

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Lilies

How do I plant my lily bulbs?

Lilies are very hardy bulbs. They can tolerate very cold conditions but do not like to get wet. If planting in borders the soil must be free draining and preferably humus rich. Some lilies prefer acid soil, mainly Oriental lilies, and some prefer alkaline mainly Asiatic lilies. It is best to check which soil you have. When planting in pots or tubs you must make sure that they are kept moist but do not get waterlogged. Plant bulbs with 4-6″ (10-15cm) of soil above them. If planting in pots, plant 3 in a 10-14″ (25-35cm) pot, in a good-quality, peat-free, multi-purpose compost. John Innes No.3 is ideal for Lilies also. If it appears too dense, add some horticultural grit to improve drainage.

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Helpful tips on growing lilies

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Lily Bulbs need planting with the tip pointing upwards and the roots down.

Planting your lilies couldn’t be easier once you have chosen the right soil for the variety.

Simply plant with the growing tip pointing upwards and the roots below and cover the top of the bulb with 4-6” (10-15cm) of soil. 

If planting in pots, plant 3 bulbs in a 10-14” (25-35cm) ‘patio type’ pot. You can plant more in a larger pot or less in a smaller pot. It really depends on the display you would like to achieve. You can also stagger the planting, using different lilies to achieve different heights.

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Which lilies are best for your garden

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Luscious Lilies for your garden pots or borders

Whether you’re a fan of scented or unscented; tall or short; subtle or bold colours, there’s a  lily for everyone. I often get asked how to choose a lily and I guess this is where I start…

Where are you thinking of planting your lilies?

Asiatic Lilies

Firstly, where would you like to grow your lilies? Pots or garden borders? If you’re planning on planting up your lily bulbs in pots for your patio (or making a pot feature around your garden), then the world is your oyster when it comes to lily choice. This is because different lilies like different soil types. Therefore, you can choose any lily and just mix up the right soil/compost for it. Lilies are generally happy in a good-quality, peat-free, multi-purpose compost. This leads me to the next question…

Lilium Majestic Joy

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Lilies for new Japanese themed garden

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This question was asked by
– Chris S – 

Good evening,
I am in process of making our third garden. First was restoration of a Jekyll garden in Merton Park; then restoration of a typical Cornish garden planted up in the 19th century but overtaken by spotted laurel – originally planted as a windbreak. now i am making a new japanese garden following a visit to the Adachi Museum garden in Japan. Rocks, gravel “stream” path, acers and (hopefully) small areas of single species flowers at different seasons mingled with the rock work. What lilies would you recommend – not too tall for the most part (although I love Candidum). At the moment I am wondering about “Turks’ Head” type but would welcome your advice regarding a further 5 or 6 varieties.
Kind regards,
Chris

Hi Chris

Any lilies will fit well in your Japanese style garden including other flower varieties nicknamed the Pineapple Lily (Eucomis) and the Guernsey Lily (Nerines). Also, have you seen our Specie lily page? These are stunning varieties that would suit your garden theme.

Eucomis

Eucomis

Eucomis

Nerines

Nerines

Nerines

Species Lilies

Fusion Lilies

Fusion Lilies

The Hart Family