Lilium Mona Lisa

'Mona Lisa' does not like chalky, poorly drained, and heavy soil. Plant it in full sun, with its base in the shade, preferably in spring, placing 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 vegetation only starts in April. Stake them when the stems 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 you touch them. 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 don't like 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 it all with a thick layer of compost 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12in) deep. Plant the bulbs in the compost, on which some ground-cover plants can also crawl.

On the terrace, you can create magnificent pots with lilies. Choose a container that is large 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 thoroughly. Place the pots in a cool room, or outside once all 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 around 18°C (64.4°F). Apply liquid fertiliser twice a month until the flower buds appear.