Lilium Forever Linda - Asiatic Lily

The 'Forever Linda' lily is not fussy about the soil, as long as it is well-drained and not excessively alkaline or acidic. It appreciates rich and light soils. Plant it in full sun, with the base in shade, preferably in spring, burying the bulbs 15 cm deep in a pocket of soil mixed with leaf mould. Surround them with a pocket of sand to prevent rot and slug attacks, while also allowing them to grow more easily. Mark the planting location, as the foliage only starts in April. If red insects appear, treat immediately; these are lily beetles whose larvae can devour all the leaves. The most effective method is to catch them manually—be careful, they drop off as soon as they are touched, so place a box underneath.

After flowering, it is useful to cut the faded flowers halfway down to keep the bed looking beautiful throughout the summer.

Tip for planting lilies in compact soil: The scaly bulbs of lilies are susceptible to clay soils, which can suffocate them and cause rot. In Eastern Europe, the following technique is used to help these bulbs survive the winter. Plant them on 'raised beds' built above ground level. These beds consist of a first 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 you can also let a few carpeting plants creep.

On the terrace, you can create magnificent pot displays with lilies. Choose a container that is wide and deep enough (at least 16 cm in diameter for 1 bulb). Fill it with a mixture of garden soil, leaf mould, and sand. Plant the lilies in groups of 3 to 5 bulbs, spaced 10-15 cm apart, then water thoroughly. Place the pots in a cool room, or outdoors once the frosts have 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 about 18°C. Apply liquid fertiliser twice a month until the flower buds appear.