"Growing Lilies"

There are many different lilies and a flower bed can be packed with different types to create a spectacular show in the garden. Choose a variety of colours and heights.
Plant the taller ones at the back of the bed and the shorter ones in front. They love sun and shade will affect how many blooms the plants produce.

************************************

The Arum and the African types are both available from Crocus UK. Growing lilies in the UK ( Type any flower you are looking for into the search box on their homepage.)

and for US supplies try Nature Hills:

Firelily Nature Hills Scroll down to 'flower bulbs' on their homepage.

and Amazon have some different types including the 'Madonna':

Madonna

*************************************

Planting: As mentioned above, lilies like full sun so choose the best possible spot in the flower garden for them. Dig over the ground beforehand and incorporate some well rotted compost into the soil.

Choose the smoothest and nicest looking bulbs to plant. If they are shrivelled or dried out, they are unlikely to produce good healthy plants. Plant the bulbs about 6 inches (15cm.) deep or allow about 3 times in depth of the size of the bulb. The bulbs shouldn't be planted too shallow as they produce roots at both ends and the roots will show above the level of the soil and get damaged by the light.

Tall growing flowers will need support and a cane should be placed next to the bulbs as you plant them. Don't leave it till later because you could damage the roots.

Bulbs are normally planted in the autumn or early winter but can be planted in spring. After autumn planting, the area should be mulched if a frost or very cold winter months are expected. Double check on your variety for particular planting requirements.

Usually only a few inches needs to be left between each bulb ( 6-8 cms) but again this will depend on the variety you are planting.

Caring Keep your bed weed free and water regularly during dry periods.

Lilies can get a disease that affects their leaves and this should be treated with an organic product specifically for your type of flowers.

When they have finished flowering, the plants can be cut down to the ground and left until the following year. The bulbs will reproduce and when the beds get overcrowded, you will ned to gently dig up the clumps of bulbs in the autumn, carefully separate them and re-plant in other spots or give them away to a gardening buddy!

Lilies can be planted in pots and moved indoors or wrapped up to keep them warm during the winter. The taller types will still need support though so you will need to place canes in the pots when planting your bulbs.

Once your bed gets going, don't forget to cut a few blooms and enjoy them in the house.

Happy Gardening!

More "Garden Flowers" reading

http://www.flower-and-garden-tips.com/lilies.html