During the past few years, dahlias have enjoyed a boom. This year, I predict that it’s the turn of the lily. The recently fashionable naturalistic plantings of wafty perennials and grasses haven’t been comfortable bedfellows for these glamorous blooms, but as things swing back towards an unashamed use of bold colour and shape, they look “right” again in a garden setting.
Members of the Lilium genus originate in many parts of the world. Most have bulbs composed of overlapping scales, which produce new stems and foliage annually. Flowers bloom in summer, then, after setting seed, the top growth dies down gradually and the cycle is repeated in subsequent years.
There are many more types than the pink and white varieties you buy in the supermarket.