Contact John Negus by email address below Email: amateurgardening@futurenet.com
How do I care for a spider lily?
Q I have been given a spider lily (hymenocallis), which grew amazingly thissummer. I’ve put it in the greenhouse for winter, but what else can I do?
Vicky Louthwaite, Crewe, Cheshire
A Your spider lily is not a hardy plant, so it will need some protection through the winter.
Bulbs should be planted when dormant, in moderately fertile compost (loam-based compost with added leaf mould or multi-purpose compost and horticultural grit would be ideal). Plant the bulbs with the neck and shoulder just above the surface of the compost.
Ideally, they would be permanently grown in