About
Lilium lankongense, the Lankong lily, is a bulbous perennial to around 1.2 m with lance-shaped, dark-green leaves and racemes of up to 15 pendant, turk's cap, pink flowers spotted with darker pink in midsummer. A beautiful and graceful lily for a well-drained, 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
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, South-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 usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Native toSE Tibet to China
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
CultivationGrows well in any well-drained soil enriched with leaf mould or well-rotted organic matter; ideal in pots, see growing lilies in containers for further information
PruningRemove seedheads if not required and cut down stems once foliage dies down
PropagationPropagate from 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 and slugs; plants in containers are vulnerable to vine weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to grey moulds and a virus. See lily diseases