Lilium Bellingham Hybrids — Upright unbranched stems from a scaly bulb

Overview

Lilium Bellingham Hybrids is a upright unbranched stems from a scaly bulb bulb in the genus Lilium, part of the Liliaceae family, with deciduous; narrow lance-shaped leaves, scattered or in whorls up the stem foliage. Lilium Bellingham Hybrids grows best in full sun with the roots in shade; some species prefer dappled light, and tolerates deep humus-rich loam and or loam-based compost in pots soils and neutral to acid and though madonna and trumpet lilies tolerate lime pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4-H6.

About

Lilium Bellingham Hybrids is a bulb that sends up upright, unbranched stems from a scaly bulb and carries narrow, lance-shaped leaves either scattered or in whorls along the stem. Flowering occurs from June to August. Position in full sun while keeping the root run cool and shaded, using deep humus-rich loam or loam-based compost for pots, and ensure soil is moist but sharply drained to avoid bulb rot. Best planted on a south, west or east-facing, sheltered site and suitable for most UK gardens (H4–H6: average to very hardy).

About the genus

Lilium is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants growing from bulbs, all with large and often prominent flowers. Lilies are a group of flowering plants which are important in culture and literature in much of the world. Most species are native to the Northern Hemisphere and their range is temperate climates and extends into the subtropics.

Wikipedia contributors, "Lilium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Lilium

In the garden

Lilium Bellingham Hybrids are garden lilies grown from scaly bulbs that produce upright, unbranched flowering stems with deciduous, narrow lance-shaped leaves. Flowering takes place from June to August, providing summer display from bulbs placed at the appropriate depth. Sit them where they will receive full sun overhead but with the root zone shaded; a layer of mulch or a low edging of companion plants helps keep roots cool. Plant into deep, humus-rich loam in the border or a loam-based compost when grown in large containers. They prefer neutral to acid soils, although some trumpet and Madonna types tolerate lime; crucially the soil must be moist yet sharply drained because bulbs will rot in stagnant wet. Choose a south, west or east-facing aspect in a sheltered position to reduce wind damage to the tall stems. In UK terms they range from H4 to H6, so they will overwinter in most areas when set in a sheltered spot with good drainage. Useful where a vertical summer accent is required — on a sheltered terrace in pots or in sunlit borders with a shaded root run — and their stems reliably emerge each spring from the scaly bulb to carry the summer flowers.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Lilium

Sunlight: Full sun with the roots in shade; some species prefer dappled light
Soil type: Deep humus-rich loam, or loam-based compost in pots
Soil pH: Neutral to acid, though Madonna and trumpet lilies tolerate lime
Soil moisture: Moist but sharply drained - bulbs rot in stagnant wet
Aspect: South, west or east facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H4-H6

Plant details

Lilium Bellingham Hybrids size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Bulb
Habit: Upright unbranched stems from a scaly bulb
Foliage: Deciduous; narrow lance-shaped leaves, scattered or in whorls up the stem

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Lilium Bellingham Hybrids

Cultivation: Plant bulbs deeply, at roughly three times their own depth, on a layer of grit so water drains away from the scales; the exception is Lilium candidum, which sits just below the surface. Feed while in growth and let the stem die down naturally afterwards so the bulb can rebuild. Container growing gives the sharp drainage most lilies want and makes lily beetle far easier to police.
Pruning: Remove faded flowers to stop seed forming, but leave the stem and foliage until it has yellowed completely, then cut to the base.
Propagation: Detach offset bulbs or individual scales when dormant and grow them on in a cold frame. Species can be raised from seed, though flowering may take three to five years.
Pest resistance: Scarlet lily beetle is the serious pest and will strip a plant if unchecked - adults and larvae both need removing on sight. Slugs damage emerging shoots.
Disease resistance: Botrytis marks the foliage in wet summers. Virus, spread by aphids, causes streaked and distorted growth and cannot be cured.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Lilium Bellingham Hybrids?

Plant bulbs deeply, at roughly three times their own depth, on a layer of grit so water drains away from the scales; the exception is Lilium candidum, which sits just below the surface. Feed while in growth and let the stem die down naturally afterwards so the bulb can rebuild. Container growing gives the sharp drainage most lilies want and makes lily beetle far easier to police.

Where is the best place to plant Lilium Bellingham Hybrids?

Lilium Bellingham Hybrids prefers full sun with the roots in shade; some species prefer dappled light. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Lilium Bellingham Hybrids need?

Lilium Bellingham Hybrids grows best in deep humus-rich loam and or loam-based compost in pots soil. It prefers neutral to acid and though madonna and trumpet lilies tolerate lime soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but sharply drained - bulbs rot in stagnant wet.

How do I prune Lilium Bellingham Hybrids?

Remove faded flowers to stop seed forming, but leave the stem and foliage until it has yellowed completely, then cut to the base.

Is Lilium Bellingham Hybrids hardy in the UK?

Lilium Bellingham Hybrids has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.

How do I propagate Lilium Bellingham Hybrids?

Detach offset bulbs or individual scales when dormant and grow them on in a cold frame. Species can be raised from seed, though flowering may take three to five years.

More in the Lilium genus

Browse all Lilium →