Lilium Garden Party - Lily

The 'Garden Party' lily does not like chalky, poorly drained, and heavy soil. Plant the bulbs in full sun, with the base in the shade, preferably in spring, 15 cm (6in) deep in a pocket of soil mixed with leaf compost. Surround them with a layer of sand that will prevent rot and attacks from slugs, while allowing them to grow more easily. Mark the planting location, as growth only starts in April. Stake the stems when they reach 30 cm (12in) high. If red lily beetles appear, treat them immediately, as their larvae can devour all the leaves. The most effective method is to catch them manually but be careful as they drop as soon as you touch them. After flowering, it is a good idea to cut the faded flowers halfway to keep the bed beautiful during the summer.

 Tip for planting lilies in compact soil: The scaly bulbs of tall lilies hate clay soils that suffocate them and cause rot. In Eastern Europe, the following technique is used to help these bulbs survive the winter. Plant them on 'benches' built above ground level. These benches are made up of a layer of gravel, on which tightly packed branches are placed. Then cover everything with a thick 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12in) layer of compost. Plant the bulbs in the compost, on which you can also have a few ground-covering plants. On the terrace, you can create sumptuous pots with lilies. Choose a container that is large and deep enough (at least 16 cm (6in) in diameter for 1 bulb). Fill it with a mixture of leaf compost and sand and plant the lilies in groups of 3 to 5 bulbs, 10-15 cm (4-6in) apart, then water abundantly. Place the pots in a cool room or outside once the frosts have passed. The ambient temperature should be around 12°C (53.6°F). When the shoots appear, place the pot in a veranda or a very bright room, at a temperature of around 18°C (64.4°F). Apply liquid fertiliser twice a month until the appearance of flower buds.