How to plant lily bulbs in a pot
Use lilies to fill gaps in border and patio displays by planting them in a pot, which you can drop into displays as and where you need them.
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Fill gaps in your summer planting displays with brightly-coloured lilies for a temporary, but timely, burst of colour. Plant lily bulbs into pots then simply drop them, pot and all, into arrangements on the patio, or even in your borders.
You Will Need
- Lily bulbs
- 20cm diameter pot
- Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
- Horticultural grit
Total time: 20 minutes
Step 1
Lily bulbs should be planted quite deeply, so choose a large pot and half fill it with good quality, peat-free multi-purpose compost. Place five or six lily bulbs on the surface, with their roots on the compost and their growing tips facing upwards.
Step 2
Cover the bulbs with a generous layer of compost, taking the compost level to around 5cm below the pot rim. Firm well and water thoroughly, adding more compost afterwards if the level falls.
Step 3
Finish with a layer of gravel or horticultural grit to help keep the compost moist. Keep the pot in a greenhouse or sheltered spot while the bulbs develop, tying tall varieties to canes as they grow. Move the pot to its final position when the plants are ready to flower.
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