About
A bulbous perennial with leafy stems to 1.5m. Very large, scented, bowl-shaped flowers are produced in mid- to late summer, cream with dark red anthers.
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 typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens
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
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained soil enriched with leaf mould or well-rotted organic matter
PruningNo pruning required; tidy by deadheading spent flowers
PropagationPropagate by offsets after the foliage dies down
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to lily beetle, aphids and slugs
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to grey moulds and a virus. For more advice, see lily diseases