Lily

Lilium regale Album

• Position: full sun
• Soil: well-drained, including chalk, enriched with leaf mould or a loam-based potting compost such as John Innes no. 2
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: July
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  An incredibly popular variety with large, almost pure white trumpets with orange anthers. This is a form of Lilium regale, which does not have the pink flush to the outside of the petals, but it has retained every ounce of the sumptuously strong scent of its parent. A great choice for white borders, and looks spectacular at night when the flowers really seem to glow.
  
  Be warned, lilies are susceptible to a range of pests and diseases, including lily beetle, and as such can be high maintenance and may need replacing regularly.
  
  The RSPCA have recently reported that all parts of lilies can be fatal to cats, including the flower, leaves and pollen. For more information, click here.
  
• Garden care: Lilies are best planted in autumn when the bulbs are still plump, but they can still be planted in spring. Between August and March, choose a sunny spot where the plant can keep its feet in the shade. Plant 15-20cm (6-8in) deep in a well-drained soil, enriched with well-rotted organic matter or leaf mould, using a marker to minimise any unnecessary disturbance. Stake with ring stakes or bamboo canes in spring before the flowers appear. Deadhead the faded blooms and cut the stems back to ground level at the end of autumn.