Lilium Mix - Lily

Oriental lilies do not like chalky, poorly drained and heavy, clay soils. Plant in full sun, with the base in the shade, preferably in spring, burying the bulbs 15 cm (6in) deep in a pocket of soil mixed with leaf compost. Surround them with a layer of sand to prevent rot and slug attacks, while allowing them to grow more easily. Mark the planting location, as vegetation only starts in April. Stake them when the stems 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 they are touched.

After flowering, it is a good idea to cut the faded flowers halfway up so that the bed remains beautiful during summer.  

Tip for planting lilies in compact soil: The scaly bulbs of tall lilies are sensitive to 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 layer of compost, 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12in) deep. Plant the bulbs in the compost, on which some ground-covering plants can also be grown. 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. Plant the lilies in groups of 3 to 5 bulbs, at a distance of 10-15 cm (4-6in), then water generously. Place the pots in a cool room, or outside once the frosts have passed. The room temperature should be around 12 °C. When shoots appear, move the pot to a conservatory or a very bright room, at a temperature of around 18 °C. Apply liquid fertiliser twice a month until the flower buds appear.