About
Lilium auratum, the golden-rayed lily of Japan, is a deciduous, bulbous perennial to around 100 cm with strap-like, dark-green leaves and large, intensely fragrant, outward-facing, bowl-shaped white flowers with a golden-yellow central band and dark crimson-red speckles, appearing from mid-July onwards. One of the most spectacular and fragrant of all lilies for a sheltered, humus-rich, well-drained border.
About the genus
Lilium, the lilies, 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 Turk's cap flowers in a wide range of colours, often fragrant, in summer. Hardy and rewarding bulbs for sheltered, well-drained borders.
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
Height0.5-1 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
Native toJapan
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 autumn, 15cm deep, in moist but well-drained soil enriched with leaf mould or well-rotted organic matter, in a sheltered position, with the base of the plant in shade, for example from ground-cover plants, and the rest of the plant in full sun; for more advice, see growing lilies in containers
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, snails, Thrips, leatherjackets, and wireworms, and to damage by rabbits and voles; plants in containers may be susceptible to vine weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to lily disease, other fungal diseases, and virus diseases; for more advice, see lily diseases