Lily Bulbs

Lily bulbs – more info

Lily bulbs are easy to grow. Whether you want big-bloomed, scented oriental lilies or brightly coloured asiatic lily flowers en masse, these hardy blooms provide plenty of flower power. Go for large ornamental containers to house your bulbs or simply plant straight into a sunny bed. Use the FAQs below to help you find the right lily for your garden.

What is the best lily for beginners?

If you’re a beginner, choose a mix of asiatic lily bulbs and plant these dazzling blooms en masse. Asiatic lilies are happy in pots of multi-purpose compost or in the ground. Simply choose a spot in full sun and these hardy bulbs will do the rest, returning year after year with colourful blooms. If you’re growing your lilies to enjoy inside as cut flowers, you may want to try our pollen-free mix to enjoy all the colour with none of the mess.

Are lily bulbs frost hardy?

If you live in a colder part of the country, it’s probably best to grow your lily bulbs in containers that can be moved inside in very cold winters. In the south of the UK your lily bulbs should be fine outdoors in containers or in the ground all year round. Apply a thick layer of mulch to insulate the bulbs against the worst of the cold.

Which lily bulb has the strongest scent?

Always go for an oriental lily if you’re looking for scent. Lily ‘Dazzler’ is a low-growing oriental variety with compact stems topped with large white and pink flowers. This unique lily is one of the few low-growing ground-cover lilies with scented blooms. Tree lilies are fantastic sources of scent too. These super tall specimens make a unique hedge and lift their blooms up into the breeze to allow the perfume to waft around the garden.

Which lily bulbs grow best in shade?

Plant lily of the valley in shade. This is the best lily variety for full and dappled shade spots. These tiny plants naturalise in woodland settings, providing excellent ground cover, lush green foliage and a powerful fragrance in spring. Go for an unusual pink-coloured lily of the valley for something slightly different.