I have several pots of lilies in the garden and, today, I noticed a bright red beetle on the foliage of one of them.

Although I had never seen one before, I had heard about the increasing numbers of this pest previously and so recognised it as the lily beetle which seriously damages the plants.

Brian and I had a good look around the pots and found four .. they are difficult to kill as they are very hard.

If you find that you have them here's how to get rid of them:

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0500/beetle.asp

Oh dear Monika - I thought Lily Beetle was a person!! I would though!!

So did I! I looked at the title and thought "Who is she"?

Monika, do you think I could grow lupins in pots? They are fair sized pots. I planted a fuchsia in one and some dahlias in another today, but I still have loads left. I want something a bit bigger than bedding plants, but not sure what!

I don't see why not. Monsy ..... I think you can grow anything in pots, provided they are big enough, given that you can grow small trees and shrubs in pots too.

Might I suggest that you plant up some penstemon in one of them as they will flower for a long period of time and they are fairly tall plants. Also a hardy bush fuschia like Tom Thumb, say. Both of these are perennial too so you wouldn't have to fork out again next year and they would clump up nicely.

I had a look at the penstemons, and I like the look of them Monika, thanks. I see there are some beautiful new lavender plants out now, so I will have a hunt for these as well.

The thunderstorms yesterday have certainly brought all my pot plants on already!

I have to agree about lavender .... I prefer the French lavender now to our English one.

Another nice plant for a tub is a small hebe called 'Pink Pixie'. Once it starts to flower it doesn't seem to want to stop. Its leaves are a nice colour too.

Look forward to seeing your pictures later on.

Oooh Monika - I laike the sound of THAT plant - "pink pixie" - I may adopt THAT nickname!!