Liliums are delightfully gracious, stately and fragrant with orange, red, yellow, pink, white, apricot, gold and a mixture of several colours in the one floret varieties. They look stunning when grown amongst other plants in the garden.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Liliums are best viewed as background plants, so for a harmonious display, careful thought should be given to other background plants as well as those growing around them. The selection of plants is important for they need to emphasise the beauty of the liliums, and not overshadow them.
Although liliums prefer their heads to be in the sun, they do like their roots to be cool and well drained. A garden bed facing east is an ideal situation as it receives the morning sun.
Trees such as Japanese maples planted behind the liliums in the far background provide dappled shade from the hot, summer sun.
The blue flowers of the groundcover, Campanula muralis, contrast beautifully with liliums as it rambles happily amongst the plantings.
The dark green foliage of the hellebores blends in well with liliums and Delphiniums make great growing companions when positioned behind liliums so heir tall flowering spikes can tower above them.
To extend the flowering season plant different varieties.
The Asiatics are the first to flower, beginning in late October, growing to about 1m tall, in a wide range of colours.
Next are the Trumpets which bloom around Christmas, and grow from 1m to 2.5m tall, with most having a spicy perfume.
The beautifully-scented Orientals flower from January to March, and grow from 60cm to 2.4m tall.
The last to flower are the Species liliums and bloom mainly through summer to autumn.
Lily-of-the-valley
The lovely, deliciously-perfumed, lily-of-the-valley is known affectionately by many common names. In parts of England, its native land, it’s called ‘mayflower’, in Germany ‘little maybells’, in France ‘Our Lady’s tears’ and in Ireland ‘fairy ladders’.
English country dwellers believe it’s the scent and charm of these dainty lilies that draws the nightingale into the heart of the woods to choose it’s mate.
Plant pips in winter in humus-rich soil in a semi-shaded position. Before planting, snip about 2.5cm off the end of the roots to activate them into growing. Top dress every year with compost.
These spring to summer flowering plants come in shades of white and delicate pink in single and double forms of tiny, bell shaped flowers. Some varieties have variegated leaves.
If picking for the vase, don’t put narcissus in with them as they dislike each other’s company and will sulk and droop.
Diary
August 16: The Australian Plant Society will meet at the Max Fry Hall on Gorge Rd, Trevallyn, Launceston at 7.30pm. Visitors are welcome to attend and gain expert advice on gardening over a cuppa. For information visit www.apstasnorth.org
August 17: The Launceston Horticultural Society will meet at the Windmill Hill Hall, High Street, Launceston at 8pm. Visitors are welcome. A homemade supper is provided.
August 18: The Launceston Orchid Society will meet at the Newnham Uniting Church Hall, George Town Road, Launceston at 7pm. Visitors are welcome.
September 3: The Westbury Garden Club will hold its Spring Flower Show at the Westbury Town Hall in Lyall Street from 2-4pm. The official opening is at 2.30pm. A country style afternoon tea is available for $5. Admission $2.
Daily: The Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden at 55 Breffay Road, Burnie is open from 9am to 5pm.
