Lilium candidum

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.