Life

Plant of the week: Brighten your summer garden with a Lily

A white lily
A white lily A white lily

THEY smell amazing at this time of year, their trumpet-like blooms making a statement both visually and scent-wise, whether planted in borders or in pots. Plant them in spring in well-drained compost with added sand or grit, keep them well watered once growth starts and feed them with tomato fertiliser every two weeks. There are many types in colours ranging from pure white to burgundy and taller varieties such as Turk's-cap types will need support. Some people find the heady scent of really fragrant varieties such as the deep pink oriental Lilium 'Star Gazer' too much, but I love them. And if you plant them in the garden, many will come back year after year, forming clumps over time. My personal favourite is Lilium 'regale', the regal lily, cream, subtle and beautifully scented.

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK

:: Pick courgettes while they are young and before they turn into marrows

:: Order catalogues for next year's spring-flowering bulbs

:: Give woodwork a lick of paint or preservative while the weather's dry

:: Prepare the garden if you're going away, asking family or neighbours to water it for you or install an automatic irrigation system

:: Help revive tired containers and baskets by cutting back all flowering plants and giving them a good feed

:: Divide clumps of bearded iris

:: On balmy nights, leave pond pumps on to maintain oxygen levels

:: Raise the lawnmower cutting height slightly to help the grass resist summer wear and tear

:: Continue cutting out old fruited canes on raspberries

:: Cut sweetpeas for the house, which will encourage further flowers