In The Garden

by Barry Peters

Other Columns Auto Column by Jeremy Cato and Rob MacGregor Artscene by Linda Moore Good Living New on the Net by Richmond Public Library Staff

Most gardeners plant a few spring bulbs for early colour each year, but seldom think to plant the beautiful late spring and summer flowering lilies.
These magnificient, highly fragrant plants can be the most spectacular performers in a summer garden. There are many types, shapes and colours from white, yellow, pink and orange to red. Nearly all will do well in our Fraser Valley area provided certain conditions are met.
Lilies originated in coastal areas of the Orient and around the Mediterranean Sea. Lily bulbs are available in local nurseries and garden shops in the fall and again in the spring, usually in a clear plastic envelope which helps retain moisture. Lilies do not do well if allowed to dry out before planting.
Make sure you have loose sandy soil high in organic matter and with good drainage. Partial shade and a southern exposure is best. The soil should not be allowed to become dry in hot weather.
Lilies are heavy feeders and will thrive and multiply if fertilized regularly and mulched with mushroom manure.
Additional plants can be propagated from bulblets along the stem below ground, from `bulbils' in the axils of the leaves above ground, or from the seeds taken fron the laden pods produced after each bloom. Companion plants could be low growing summer blooming perennials.

In my last column, I made a reference to red eldeberries. Although these berries are used for wine, they are somewhat poisonous. It's best to use `black' eldeberries, a close relative which is totally safe.