Lilium monadelphum (Caucasian lily) — Upright unbranched stems from a scaly bulb

Overview

Lilium monadelphum is a upright unbranched stems from a scaly bulb bulb in the genus Lilium, part of the Liliaceae family, with deciduous; narrow lance-shaped leaves, scattered or in whorls up the stem foliage. Lilium monadelphum grows best in full sun with the roots in shade; some species prefer dappled light, and tolerates deep humus-rich loam and or loam-based compost in pots soils and neutral to acid and though madonna and trumpet lilies tolerate lime pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4-H6. It is native to Crimea, North Caucasus and South Caucasus.

About

Lilium monadelphum is a bulbous lily bearing upright, unbranched stems and narrow lance-shaped leaves. The flowers are notable for strongly reflexed tepals, typically yellow with purple spotting. It arises from a scaly bulb and the foliage is deciduous. Plants suit a sheltered, sunny position provided the bulbs sit cool and well drained.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Lilium monadelphum

About the genus

Lilium is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants growing from bulbs, all with large and often prominent flowers. Lilies are a group of flowering plants which are important in culture and literature in much of the world. Most species are native to the Northern Hemisphere and their range is temperate climates and extends into the subtropics.

Wikipedia contributors, "Lilium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Lilium

In the garden

Lilium monadelphum is a bulbous species native to Crimea and the North and South Caucasus. It produces erect, single stems from a scaly bulb, with leaves set singly or in whorls along the stem and flowering in June to August. The blooms characteristically have strongly reflexed tepals with yellow petals marked by purple spots. Position the bulbs where the shoot zone receives full sun but the roots remain shaded — for example beneath a light mulch or a shallow tree canopy. Use deep, humus-rich loam in the border or a loam-based compost in pots, and aim for a neutral to slightly acid soil. Keep the soil moist but sharply drained; avoid sites where water stands in winter. Choose a south, west or east facing, sheltered aspect to reduce wind damage and to suit the plant’s exposure needs. Hardiness is H4–H6, meaning average to very hardy in UK terms, so plants can be grown outdoors in many gardens provided they are not in exposed, waterlogged sites. Lilium monadelphum works well in a sunny, sheltered herbaceous border or a deep container where roots can be kept cool; expect flowering from June to August and clear reflexed flower form at maturity.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Lilium

Sunlight: Full sun with the roots in shade; some species prefer dappled light
Soil type: Deep humus-rich loam, or loam-based compost in pots
Soil pH: Neutral to acid, though Madonna and trumpet lilies tolerate lime
Soil moisture: Moist but sharply drained - bulbs rot in stagnant wet
Aspect: South, west or east facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H4-H6

Plant details

Lilium monadelphum size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Bulb
Habit: Upright unbranched stems from a scaly bulb
Foliage: Deciduous; narrow lance-shaped leaves, scattered or in whorls up the stem
Native to: Crimea, North Caucasus, South Caucasus

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Lilium monadelphum

Cultivation: Plant bulbs deeply, at roughly three times their own depth, on a layer of grit so water drains away from the scales; the exception is Lilium candidum, which sits just below the surface. Feed while in growth and let the stem die down naturally afterwards so the bulb can rebuild. Container growing gives the sharp drainage most lilies want and makes lily beetle far easier to police.
Pruning: Remove faded flowers to stop seed forming, but leave the stem and foliage until it has yellowed completely, then cut to the base.
Propagation: Detach offset bulbs or individual scales when dormant and grow them on in a cold frame. Species can be raised from seed, though flowering may take three to five years.
Pest resistance: Scarlet lily beetle is the serious pest and will strip a plant if unchecked - adults and larvae both need removing on sight. Slugs damage emerging shoots.
Disease resistance: Botrytis marks the foliage in wet summers. Virus, spread by aphids, causes streaked and distorted growth and cannot be cured.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Lilium monadelphum?

Plant bulbs deeply, at roughly three times their own depth, on a layer of grit so water drains away from the scales; the exception is Lilium candidum, which sits just below the surface. Feed while in growth and let the stem die down naturally afterwards so the bulb can rebuild. Container growing gives the sharp drainage most lilies want and makes lily beetle far easier to police.

Where is the best place to plant Lilium monadelphum?

Lilium monadelphum prefers full sun with the roots in shade; some species prefer dappled light. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Lilium monadelphum need?

Lilium monadelphum grows best in deep humus-rich loam and or loam-based compost in pots soil. It prefers neutral to acid and though madonna and trumpet lilies tolerate lime soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but sharply drained - bulbs rot in stagnant wet.

How do I prune Lilium monadelphum?

Remove faded flowers to stop seed forming, but leave the stem and foliage until it has yellowed completely, then cut to the base.

Is Lilium monadelphum hardy in the UK?

Lilium monadelphum has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.

How do I propagate Lilium monadelphum?

Detach offset bulbs or individual scales when dormant and grow them on in a cold frame. Species can be raised from seed, though flowering may take three to five years.

More in the Lilium genus

Browse all Lilium →