[Bernard]

I know some lilies need acid soil but I don't seem to have ever found out which of them. Is there a simple rule of thumb?

[splodger]

i don't know about acid soil - i have always known them to grow in any well drained soil - my only rule is never use fresh manure around roots - as this can rot them - well drained is important as lillies can die left in stagnant conditions.

if in pots - i use ji no2

[Trillium]

there are some plants with lily after the name but aren't true lilies (lilium) so they could be the ones you're thinking of. The Madonna lily, a true lily, (L. Candidum) prefers a slightly more lime (sweet) soil than the others. But the rest just prefer average pH with lots of humus like leafmold, compost, peatmoss, sand, vermiculite, etc. The key, as already mentioned, is no manure which spreads disease and to plant the bulb in its own little mound for good drainage.

[Bernard]

Thank you folks.
I have just read elsewhere that some are stated to be 'lime tolerant' so maybe I am getting confused.