Plant lily bulbs within one to two weeks of delivery, as they dislike drying out. Until planting, keep them somewhere cool, dry and frost-free.
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Lilium candidum
Madonna lily
You can’t beat Lilium candidum (also known as Madonna lily) for beauty, fragrance and height. This towering and statuesque lily really is a star performer in the garden and is certain to wow you and your neighbours with its multiple, magnificent large white blooms during summer. The highly-scented flowers open at head height too, so you’ll be blown away by its divine fragrance every time you walk past! Lilium candidum looks like something you would only find in the tropics, but it’s actually fully hardy in the UK climate, so all you need to do is pop it in the ground in autumn and wait to be wowed.
Lilium candidum is just the ticket for cottage-style gardens, but also fits in well with a contemporary garden or white-flower planting scheme. Being a lily, the Madonna lily is happiest in a sheltered spot so tuck it into a quiet corner, sheltered pathway or among shrubs or other tall varieties. Its narrow habit makes it a great choice for adding height in small gardens without taking up too much ground space. In autumn, simply cut back the faded stems and leave the Lilium candidum bulbs in the ground for a repeat show the following year.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Choose full sun or partial shade with rich, well-drained soil. For containers, use peat-free multipurpose or soil-based compost with added horticultural grit.
Plant bulbs pointed side upwards, 15–20cm deep and 15–20cm apart. Arrange them in groups of three to five for a generous, natural-looking display.
Water after planting, then keep the soil evenly moist once growth appears. Avoid waterlogging, particularly while the bulbs are dormant, and never let containers dry out completely.
Add stakes when planting taller varieties to avoid damaging the bulbs later. Remove faded flowers, but allow stems and foliage to yellow naturally before cutting them back.
- Botanical name
- Lilium candidum
- Flower colour
- White
- Bulb size
- 24/+
- Established height
- 1.2-1.5m
- Established spread
- 30-50cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
- Upright
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- No
- Plant spacing
- 9 bulbs per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- No
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- No
- Scented
- Yes
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
-
Free draining
Damp - Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Clay
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost
Stony - Suitable for
-
Pots
Large containers
Borders
Gravel gardens
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens
Cut flower gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Partial shade - Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 1st year
Good for cutting
Perfect for pots
Pollinator-friendly
Fragrant
Thrives in full sun
Perennial
Fully hardy
Packed in paper
Low maintenance
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Expert care from
choice to delivery
Our horticulturalists prepare every bulb and plant with the utmost care. From selection to packing, each one receives expert attention before beginning its journey to your garden.
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From cultivation to packaging and delivery, we are always looking for ways to lessen our environmental impact.
Growing together
Our care team of horticultural experts is on hand to support you choose and garden with confidence.
World of wonders
A collection of world-renowned flower bulbs and perennials of exceptional beauty and character.
Chosen to thrive
Every bulb and plant is sourced, selected and prepared with an expert eye for their quality and garden performance.
