Specialist lilies

RHS Genus Guide

These elegant lilies, with usually pale, often scented, trumpet-shaped flowers, are a valuable addition to the summer garden. They are not fully hardy, so in mild areas, grow them in a sheltered spot outdoors with a thick mulch in winter. Elsewhere, grow them in large containers that can be kept outside in summer and protected from frost in a greenhouse or conservatory over winter.

Botanical name: Lilium

Common name: Lily

RHS

Appearance

Growing up to a metre tall, these lilies have trumpet-shaped, usually white, sometimes scented flowers. The striking flowers of Lilium nepalense are greenish-yellow outside, with purple centres.

Preferences

Use large containers to accommodate the spreading roots or rhizomes of these specialist lilies and add grit to the potting compost to improve drainage. For good flowering, they need a cool and frost-free winter rest period.

Dislikes

The bulbs dislike excessively high temperatures in summer, so stand them outside in a lightly shaded spot to avoid overheating. Protect from frost by placing in a greenhouse or conservatory over winter.

Did you know?

Lilium longiflorum is known as the Easter lily, as it is traditionally used as a cut flower and grown to be in flower for the religious festival. The elegant, trumpet-shaped white flowers are highly fragrant.

RHS Growing Guide