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Lilium lancifolium

tiger lily

Liliaceae Eastern Asia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 3–9

Overview

Lilium lancifolium is a bulbous perennial reaching 3-5 feet (90-150 cm) tall on a single unbranched stem. The lance-shaped leaves are 3-7 inches (8-18 cm) long, arranged alternately along the stem, with small dark bulbils forming in the leaf axils. Each stem carries 5 to 20 nodding flowers from July to August. The flowers are orange to orange-red, 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) across, with strongly recurved tepals marked by dark purple-black spots and prominent dark-red anthers held on outward-spreading stamens. Plants spread by axillary bulbils, which drop and root to form new plants, and by offset bulbs. Lilium lancifolium is triploid and sets little to no viable seed, reproducing vegetatively. The species is widely cultivated and has naturalized in parts of North America and Europe. It can act as a symptomless carrier of lily mosaic virus, which spreads to other lilies grown nearby. All parts are toxic to cats and cause kidney failure if ingested. Plants grow in full sun to part shade in moist, well-drained soil and reach flowering size in 2 to 3 years from bulbils.

Native Range

Lilium lancifolium is native to eastern Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea. It has naturalized in parts of eastern North America and Europe.

Suggested Uses

Lilium lancifolium is used in mixed borders, cottage gardens, and naturalized plantings, spaced 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) apart. The tall stems are grown toward the back of borders and as cut flowers, though the pollen stains fabric. It is also grown in large containers of at least 5 gallons.

How to Identify

Identify Lilium lancifolium by its unbranched stem 3-5 feet (90-150 cm) tall bearing alternate lance-shaped leaves with dark bulbils in the leaf axils. The nodding flowers have strongly recurved orange tepals 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) across, spotted dark purple-black, with prominent dark-red anthers. The black bulbils at the leaf joints separate it from most other orange lilies.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 5'

Width/Spread8" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

orange

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Summer

Flowers open from July to August, with each stem carrying 5 to 20 blooms over a 2 to 3 week period. Individual flowers last several days. Plants begin flowering in their second or third year from bulbils.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

orange with dark purple-black spots

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 6.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years from bulbils

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant bulbs 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) deep in moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Lilium lancifolium grows in full sun to part shade and tolerates a range of soil types where drainage is adequate. Water during dry spells to hold the root zone evenly moist through the growing season. Stems may need staking in exposed sites because of their height. Bulbils that form in the leaf axils can be collected and grown on to raise new plants. The species carries lily mosaic virus without symptoms and is commonly grown apart from virus-susceptible lilies.

Pruning

Faded flowers are removed before seed capsules form to direct energy back to the bulb. Stems are cut to ground level once the foliage yellows in autumn. The foliage is left intact until it dies down so the bulb can rebuild reserves.

Pruning Schedule

fall