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Lilium philadelphicum

wood lily

Liliaceae North America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow

HardinessZones 3–7

Overview

Lilium philadelphicum is a perennial bulb in the lily family, growing 1-3 ft (30-90 cm) tall from a small white scaly bulb, with a single slender, unbranched stem. Narrow lance-shaped leaves are carried in whorls of three to eight along the upper stem, with scattered leaves below. In early to midsummer the stem is topped by one to five upward-facing, cup-shaped flowers about 2-3 in (5-8 cm) across. The flowers range from orange to scarlet-red, with the inner base of each of the six segments shading to yellow and dotted with maroon-purple spots. Unlike the nodding flowers of many lilies, the blooms point skyward. After flowering, erect oblong seed capsules form and split to release flat seeds. It grows in dry to moist open woods, prairies, savannas, and meadows on acidic, well-drained soils. The bulb sits shallow and is slow to multiply, and the species is sensitive to disturbance and grazing, which has made it uncommon across parts of its range. It is grown as a native wildflower in lean, sunny to lightly shaded ground.

Native Range

Lilium philadelphicum is native to North America, ranging from eastern Canada and the eastern United States west across the northern plains to the Rocky Mountains. It grows in prairies, open woods, and meadows.

Suggested Uses

Used in native wildflower gardens, prairie plantings, and lightly shaded woodland edges on lean, acidic soil, spaced 8-12 in (20-30 cm) apart. Grown among grasses and low perennials that shade the root zone. Suited to butterfly and pollinator plantings.

How to Identify

Identify by the upward-facing, cup-shaped orange to red flowers with a yellow, maroon-spotted center, held atop a single stem. Narrow leaves form whorls on the upper stem. The skyward-pointing blooms separate it from the nodding-flowered native lilies.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 3'

Width/Spread6" - 1'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Summer

Upward-facing orange-red flowers open from June through July, one to five per stem. Each flower lasts about a week, with the display spanning two to three weeks per plant. Butterflies, including swallowtails, and other long-tongued insects pollinate the flowers.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

orange to scarlet-red

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-9 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 Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam peat

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-4 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to light shade on acidic, sandy or loamy, well-drained soils that stay lean and never waterlogged. Soil pH from 5.0 to 6.5 suits it. The bulb is set 3-4 in (8-10 cm) deep in fall and disturbed as little as possible afterward, as the species tolerates transplanting poorly. Water during dry spells in the growing season, then keep the dormant bulb on the dry side. Rich soil, deep shade, and standing water all cause bulb rot. Voles and deer browse the bulbs and shoots.

Pruning

No pruning is needed. Spent flowers can be removed to prevent seeding, while the stem and leaves are left until they yellow so the bulb can rebuild. The dead stem is cut to the ground in late fall or winter.

Pruning Schedule

fall