Lilium Pink Pixie

'Pink Pixie' likes humus-bearing, slightly chalky, well-drained and light soils. Plant the bulbs in full sun, with their feet in the shade, preferably in spring, 15 cm (6in) deep in a pocket of soil mixed with leaf compost. Surround them with a layer of sand that will prevent rot and attacks from slugs, while allowing them to grow more easily. Mark the planting location, as vegetation only starts in April. If red lily beetles appear, treat them immediately, as their larvae can devour all the leaves. The most effective method is to catch them by hand, 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 so that the bed remains beautiful during summer.

Tip for planting lilies in compact soil: Scaly lily bulbs are sensitive to clayey 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 leaf compost, 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12in) deep. Plant the bulbs in the compost, on which a few ground-covering plants can also be planted.

On the terrace, you can create sumptuous pots 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 garden soil, 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 with a temperature of around 18°C (64.4°F). Apply liquid fertiliser twice a month until the floral buds appear.