8 tricks to growing beautiful, lush lilies

Lilies are reliable summer performers, bringing colour and fragrance to the garden when other flowers have faded.

Lily blooms are usually shaped like elegant trumpets, and colours range from pure white to deep burgundy, with pastels and eye-popping hot hues in between.

Lilies like moist, loamy, slightly acidic soil.

• If your soil is too heavy or light, dig very well-rotted manure, composted leaves or other organic matter into the planting bed.
• Also work in some bonemeal or superphosphate.

Lilies love a site with good air circulation, wind protection and excellent drainage.

• Because of their tall, thin stems, lilies sometimes look awkward and bare when planted alone.

You can surround them with small companion plants, such as dwarf dianthus or ageratum.

Lilies seldom need to be dug and divided, and there are few things more beautiful than a happy lily that has grown into a robust clump.

• Do remember to fertilize in spring and again in late summer, but don't worry about digging and replanting established bulbs.

One of the few problems lilies face is lily virus, which causes distorted growth and weakens the plants. Although easy to grow, tiger lilies can secretly host this virus, which is spread to susceptible plants by aphids.

• Don't grow tiger lilies if this disease is known to be present in your area.

Some gardeners prefer the look of a full-flowered stem nodding in the sun.

• But if you want to stake lilies, do so in spring, inserting a green metal or bamboo stake by each stem, being careful not to injure the bulb.
• The stake should reach about 23 centimetres below the flowers.
• Tie loosely with a figure-eight loop.

Underplant lilies with non-competing companions, like primroses, violets or baby's breath — these will keep lily roots cool and may support thin lily stems.

• In cold climates, prevent frost heaves with a deep layer of straw, conifer needles or chopped leaves.
• If shoots emerge prematurely in early spring, cover them with a cloche, basket or other device.
• Work around the shoots gently — if you snap them off, you'll have no blooms.

• When cutting blooms for arrangements, leave a third of the stems on the plants so that the foliage can replenish nutrients for the bulbs.

Lily blooms often last a week or more in a vase of cool water.

For success with lilies, match your choice to the growing conditions in your garden. Regardless of type, yellow, pink or white lilies are usually the strongest bloomers.

• Asiatic hybrids are the easiest lilies to grow, and they are hardy to Zone 4. Try several varieties and stick with those that prove worthy of your garden.
• Oriental lilies produce large fragrant blossoms and often persist in the garden for many years. Hardy to Zone 4, these lilies often have beautifully speckled throats.
• Easter lilies are usually hardy only to Zone 7, but if they are transplanted to the garden in spring, they will often bloom for many years in late spring or early summer.
• Trumpet lilies often grow two metres (six feet) tall, so they always need staking. Hardy to Zone 4, a trio of towering trumpet lilies makes a great accent in the back of a mixed border.