About

This deciduous, bulbous, herbaceous perennial to around 150cm, with strap-like dark green leaves and large, perfumed, dark-pink speckled, upward-facing, bowl-shaped flowers with white edges, appearing in July and August.

About the genus

Lilium are bulbous perennials with erect stems bearing whorled or spirally arranged leaves and terminal racemes or umbels of bowl-shaped, trumpet-shaped, funnel-shaped or turks cap shaped flowers, often fragrant, and white, yellow, orange or red

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeBulbs, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
FragranceFlower
ToxicityOrnamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. TOXIC to pets if eaten (cats) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers

Care notes

CultivationPlant bulbs in the autumn. Grow in well-drained soil enriched with leaf mould or well-rotted organic matter. Ideally, grow in full sun with the base of the plant in shade. Suitable for containers, see growing lilies for more advice
PruningNo pruning required, but deadheading will improve their appearance
PropagationPropagate by division: separate offsets after the leaves have died down
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to lily beetle, aphids, slugs, thrips, leatherjackets and wireworms, as well as small mammals such as rabbits and voles
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to lily disease, other fungal diseases, and virus diseases; for more advice, see lily diseases