About
Lilium hansonii, the Japanese turk's cap lily, is a vigorous, early-flowering bulbous perennial to 1.5 m with whorled leaves and racemes of up to 12 small, perfumed, brilliant orange-yellow turk's cap flowers with thick, waxy, recurved tepals spotted purplish-brown near the base in early summer. One of the earliest and most reliable of the turk's cap lilies for a sunny or partly shaded border.
About the genus
Lilium are bulbous perennials producing erect, often tall stems bearing whorled or scattered leaves and terminal racemes or umbels of bowl-shaped, trumpet-shaped, funnel-shaped or turk's cap flowers, often fragrant, in white, yellow, orange or red tones. Hardy and ornamental bulbs for borders and woodland gardens.
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-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
Native toKorea
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 well-drained soil and best in partial shade; can be grown in a pot in a sheltered shady position, see growing lilies in containers for further information
PruningRemove seed heads unless required and cut down stems once foliage dies down
PropagationPropagate by seed sown, when ripe, in containers in a cold frame or separate offsets after the foliage dies 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 grey moulds and a virus; see lily diseases