Flowers

The Madonna, or true Christmas lily (Lilium candidum), will have finished flowering by now. Cut the old flower stems off at ground level and destroy to prevent the spread of botrytis.

Unlike almost all other lilies, L. candidum has no resting period. Fresh growth develops from the bulbs as soon as the flowering period is over, so if bulbs are to be divided or shifted, the work is best done now. Also unlike other lilies, the bulbs should not be covered but the top third left above the ground. They like hot, dry spots and will tolerate some lime.

Multiply all lily bulbs by detaching scales and inserting them point upwards in boxes of sandy soil with the base of each scale just below the surface. Keep the boxes moist and plant the scales out when they have rooted. Plants propagated this way should flower in the second season.

Violas and pansies may be looking straggly and producing smaller flowers. Cut them back to new growth just above the ground and they will spring away.

Tulips and hyacinths can be lifted and cleaned when the tops have died down. Place the bulbs in shallow trays in a dry, cool, airy place. Do not expose them to full sunshine.