Stargazer lilies

Zerafa

I have read conflicting views on when to plant Stargazer Lily bulbs in the south of the UK. Some say to plant them in the Autumn and others say in the Spring.

As I have 20 bulbs about to be delivered it would be helpful if anyone with experience of growing these lilies can advise me on the best time to plant them.

Fairygirl

It can be a  bit confusing about bulbs. Many lilies aren't available till late winter/early spring anyway, but if you have them now, pot them up and keep them in a sheltered spot, and on the dry side. The ground can be cold and soggy over winter, so a pot is better just now, to avoid the possibility of them rotting. 

Established plants will cope better, although it's important to make sure they have good drainage wherever they're going.   You can plant them in the ground (if that's where they're going) in spring when the ground's more favourable. If they're not going in the ground,  just plant them into  the pot they're going to stay in.

You could just store them, but they can become dry and shrivelled if the conditions aren't good, so it's always better to have them outside and in some nice free draining compost. 

Zerafa

Thank you Fairygirl.

I had intended planting up a large deep 15” dia pot with crocks in the bottom and erecaceous compost with a bit of grit added plus fish, blood and bone. How many do you think I could plant iin that sized pot? I thought either 3 or 5 possibly. I ordered 20 bulbs so the remaining ones will be planted in my herbaceous border Lining the holes with the same compost 

Fairygirl

I bought some 'rescued' Mont Blanc lily bulbs earlier this year, and put five in a pot that size. You could probably cram in a few more though. They can stand it in pots, although you may need to divide them up a couple of year down the line. Drainage is the most important thing so keep the pot raised off the ground too.

For the others, if your ground's a bit  heavy, I'd make sure to add plenty of grit where you're planting them, or put 2 or 3 of them in 7 or 8 inch plastic pots for the winter so that you can keep them on the dry side for now. They could then go out as good plants in spring. Drainage is even more important if they're in the ground. People often keep them potted, and just pop them into gaps in the border as they start growing. 

Good luck with them - they make striking specimens in a garden  

Zerafa

Thats very helpful Fairygirl.

I have a cold greenhouse where the pots can overwinter so rather than lose some of them outside I think I will pot up all of the garden ones and put them in there. I can then plant them out when my potted Dahlias are ready to go out in May.