Patch & Pot
All masterclasses

Lesson 1

Lily groups

Lily groups

Asiatic (June, unscented, brightest colours, easiest — 'Tiny Padhye', 'Landini'), Oriental (August, hugely fragrant — 'Stargazer', 'Casa Blanca', 'Sumatra'), Trumpet (tall, scented — 'African Queen'), and species lilies (smaller, woodland feel — L. martagon, L. regale, L. henryi).

For pots, choose Asiatics and shorter Orientals — taller types blow over. Try 'Mona Lisa' (pink dwarf Oriental, 50 cm), 'Tiny Bee' (yellow Asiatic, 35 cm), or any 'Pot Lily' marked variety.

OT (Orienpet) hybrids combine the perfume of Orientals with the stem strength of Trumpets — 'Conca d'Or' and 'Black Beauty' are the workhorses.

Which lily for which spot

  • Sunny balcony pot: dwarf Asiatics — 'Tiny Bee', 'Pearl White'.
  • Patio statement tub: Orientals — 'Stargazer', 'Casa Blanca' (fragrance hits you at 5 m).
  • Cottage border in dappled shade: martagons, L. regale.
  • Cut-flower border: OT hybrids — long stems, big blooms, stand without staking.
  • Pollinator garden: L. regale, L. henryi (true species; bees love them).
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