Lilium Bastogne - Lily

The Bastogne Lily thrives in humus-rich soil and does not like limestone and poorly drained soils: its bulb dislikes excess moisture in winter. You can place an impermeable cover over the crown in winter to protect it from excessive rainfall. Ideally, plant it in October or in spring, burying the bulbs 15 cm deep in a pocket of soil mixed with leaf compost. If planted in too shady a location, it will tend to elongate considerably. To maintain strong stems, choose an open area with a sunny but not scorching exposure. Surround the bulbs with a pocket of sand to prevent rot and slug attacks, while allowing them to grow more easily. Mark the planting location, as vegetation only starts in March-April.

Protect young shoots from frost during severe cold. If red lily beetles appear, treat them immediately as their larvae can devour all the leaves. The most effective method is to catch them manually but be careful as they drop as soon as they are touched, so place a box underneath. After flowering, it is a good idea to cut off the faded flowers halfway to keep the bed beautiful during summer. The bulbs of this lily multiply rapidly and can be divided every 3 or 4 years. If you prefer not to divide the clumps after four years, the tight cluster of bulbs will produce numerous, shorter stems with fewer flowers per stem; the plant will then resemble a bushy shrub, which is still very attractive. To obtain 2 m stems with 30 to 40 buds each, you will need to divide the bulbs.

Tip for planting lilies in compact soil: The scaly bulbs of tall lilies are sensitive to clay soils that suffocate them and cause rot. In Eastern Europe, the following technique is used to help these bulbs survive the winter. Plant them on 'benches' built above ground level. These benches consist of a layer of gravel, on which tightly packed branches are placed. Then cover everything with a thick layer of compost 20 to 30 cm deep. Plant the bulbs in the compost, on which a few ground-cover plants can also be grown.

On the terrace, you can create magnificent pots with lilies. Choose a container that is large and deep enough (at least 16 cm in diameter for 1 bulb). Fill it with a mixture of leaf compost and sand. Plant the lilies in groups of 3 to 5 bulbs, 10-15 cm apart, then water generously. Place the pots in a cool room or outside once the frost has passed. The ambient temperature should be around 12°C. When the shoots appear, move the pot to a conservatory or a very bright room at a temperature of around 18°C. Apply liquid fertiliser twice a month until the floral buds appear.