Lilium Hotline

'Hotline' lily does not like limestone, poorly drained, and heavy soils. Plant it in full sun, with the base in the shade, preferably in spring, with the bulbs 15 cm (6in) deep in a pocket of soil mixed with leaf compost. Surround them with a layer of sand that will protect them from rot and slug attacks, while allowing them to grow more easily. Mark the planting location, as the vegetation only starts in April. Stake the stems when they reach 30 cm (12in) high. 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. After flowering, it is a good idea to cut the faded flowers halfway to keep the bed beautiful during summer.

Tip for planting lilies in compact soil: The scaly bulbs of large lilies are vulnerable 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 are made up 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 (8 to 12in) deep. Plant the bulbs in the compost, on which some ground-covering plants can also crawl. On the terrace, you can create magnificent containers with lilies. Choose a container that is wide and deep enough (at least 16 cm (6in) 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 (4-6in) 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 (53.6°F). When the shoots appear, move the pot to a conservatory or a very bright room, at a temperature of about 18°C (64.4°F). Apply liquid fertiliser twice a month until the flower buds appear.