Lilium Bulb

Buy lilium bulbs online in Pakistan and grow the most striking cut flower of the spring garden. A lily carries several large, outward-facing blooms on a single tall stem, in a colour range nothing else matches, and the Oriental types among them are among the most powerfully scented flowers you can grow anywhere. Imported bulbs, supplied loose and ready to plant.

Colours Available

Deep crimson and white.

Growing Guide for Pakistan

• Plant: November to December in the plains, once the soil has cooled; October to November in Murree, Swat, Abbottabad and Quetta.
• Depth and spacing: 15 to 20 cm deep, which is far deeper than most bulbs, and 20 to 25 cm apart. Lilies also root from the buried part of the stem above the bulb, so a shallow planting gives weak plants that fall over.
• Flowers: April to June in the plains; May to July in the hills.
• Height: 60 to 120 cm depending on type. The taller stems want a cane once the buds form.
• Sun and soil: Full morning sun with shade from the worst afternoon heat. Free-draining soil is essential, so mix in coarse sand and compost. Lily bulbs rot in heavy wet clay faster than almost any other bulb.
• Water: Keep the soil evenly moist through growth and never waterlogged. Mulch the surface so the roots stay cool.
• After flowering: Cut the spent flower off but leave the stem and leaves standing until they yellow naturally. That is when the bulb builds next year flower.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are lilies scented? The Oriental types are, strongly enough that one stem perfumes a room. Asiatic lilies have little or no scent. A mixed order usually gives you both.
• Why do lily bulbs go so much deeper than other bulbs? Because most lilies grow roots from the buried part of the stem as well as from the bulb. Those stem roots do much of the feeding and anchoring, and they only form if the bulb sits 15 to 20 cm down.
• Can I grow lilies in pots in Pakistan? Yes, and in the plains a pot is often better than a bed because you control the drainage. Three bulbs in a 12-inch pot in a free-draining mix, moved into shade once the summer heat arrives.
• Will they come back next year? In Islamabad, Murree, Swat and Quetta, yes, for several years. In Lahore, Multan and Karachi the summer is hot enough that most gardeners treat lilies as a one or two season flower and replant fresh bulbs.
• Do they need staking? The taller stems do, particularly once the buds are heavy. Put the cane in early while the shoot is short, so you are not driving it through the bulb later.
• Are these bulbs or seeds? Bulbs, mature and ready to plant, and they flower in their first season. Lilies raised from seed take three to four years to reach flowering size.
• How should I store them before planting? Cool, dark and dry, in the bag they arrive in, and plant within about two weeks. Unlike most bulbs a lily is never fully dormant, so do not leave it for months. A lily bulb that shrivels will not recover.
• How long do they last in a vase? Ten days to a fortnight. Cut when the lowest bud is just showing colour, and pinch out the orange anthers as each flower opens, because lily pollen stains cloth permanently.