Lily ‘Premium Collection’

Asiatic lilies prefer a moist, free draining, neutral to acid soil that is rich in organic matter. Prior to planting, add plenty of well rotted manure or garden compost to the soil to give your lilies the best start. When growing lilies in containers, use a loam based compost such as John Innes No.2. Lily bulbs should be planted in at a depth of approximately 3 times their own height and 15cm (6″) apart. Planting deeply helps to protect the bulb during particularly hot periods. Choose a sheltered, sunny position where lilies will grow with their heads in the sun and their roots in the shade.

Feed and water Asiatic lily bulbs regularly throughout the growing season, keeping them moist at all times. Deadhead faded blooms at the base of the flower where they join the stem to prevent the development of seed pods. When cutting Asiatic lily flowers for indoor arrangements, it is important to leave a third of the stem intact in order to feed the bulb for the following year.

After flowering leave the stems intact until they begin to yellow in autumn. Reduce watering and move containers of lilies to a cool, frost free position over winter. Lilies grown in borders can be lifted, cleaned and stored for the winter, however in mild areas most lilies should survive outdoors provided that the soil is not too wet. A mulch of well rotted manure or garden compost should be applied in spring. Divide and repot container grown lilies into fresh compost every other year. Caution: All parts of lilies are toxic to cats.