Reduced price on items today at Crocus
Lilium ‘Anastasia’ (Skyscraper lily) was £3.99 now £1.99
Position: full sun with light dappled shade at its base Soil: fertile, reliably moist soil Rate of growth: fast-growing Flowering period: July Hardiness: fully hardy Hailed as a ‘super lily’, Anastasia is part of a select group of hybrids that have recently been bred by crossing oriental and trumpet lilies. The result is a plant that has inherited the best qualities of both its parents. This is a really tall lily that can reach up to 2.5m tall, and when well established, it can produce up to 25 flowers. The best news is that the breeding has not diminished the flowers scent, which is as heady and sweet as you would expect from a lily. Garden care: Lilies can be planted at any time from early autumn, to mid-spring. Planting in autumn often helps them settle in and become better established before they start to put on their new spring growth, but spring planting is a better option if your soil is heavy and wet during winter. Choose a sunny spot, preferably where the plant receives a little light shade at its base, and plant each bulb 15-20cm (6-8in) deep in a well-drained soil, enriched with well-rotted organic matter or leaf mould. Space them at approximately 30cm (12″) intervals and provide support before the flowers appear. Deadhead the faded blooms promptly and cut the dead stems back to ground level at the end of autumn.
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