Lily
Lilium regale
The regal lily is one of the finest and easiest lilies for UK gardens, producing large, trumpet-shaped white flowers with a powerful, sweet fragrance in July. Each stem carries up to 15 blooms with white petals flushed purple-pink on the outside and golden-yellow throats. Originally from western China, it was introduced to the UK in 1903 by plant hunter Ernest Wilson. Fully hardy and vigorous, it thrives in borders and large containers.
How to grow lily
Plant bulbs in autumn or early spring, 15 cm deep with the pointed end upwards. Set on a 5 cm layer of sharp grit for drainage — lily bulbs rot if they sit in water. Position in full sun with the base shaded by lower plants. Lilies produce stem roots above the bulb, so deep planting is essential. Feed fortnightly with a high-potash liquid fertiliser from when buds appear until two weeks after flowering. Water regularly during dry spells but avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal disease. Stake tall stems before flowers open. Deadhead spent blooms but leave the stem until it dies back naturally in autumn. Mulch with garden compost in spring. Container-grown lilies need repotting every two years with fresh, loam-based compost.
Pruning
Remove spent flowers to prevent seed production. Leave the stem and foliage until they have died back completely in autumn, then cut to ground level.
Propagation
- Bulb scales in autumn
- Bulbils (where produced)
- Seed (takes 2-3 years to flower)
Common problems
- Lily beetle (Lilioceris lilii)
- Botrytis (grey mould)
- Vine weevil in containers
- Virus diseases spread by aphids
Good companions
Related guides
Lily Beetle: How to Spot and Stop It
How to spot red lily beetle, its eggs and its messy larvae, and keep your lilies looking good with simple hand-picking and a few smart habits.
UK Flower Planting Calendar
What flowers to sow and plant each month in the UK, from sweet peas in winter to tulips in November, with easy tips on frost, bulbs and biennials.
Cottage Garden Planting Plan for the UK
How to plan a cottage garden border: the classic plants, how to layer them, colour ideas and a ready-made planting plan for a sunny UK border.