About
A bulbous perennial producing a strong, upright stem clothed in shiny, dark green, lance-shaped leaves and topped in early summer with a cluster of large, outward-facing, creamy-white, bowl-shaped flowers with gently recurved petals and tan 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
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
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
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 enriched with leaf mould or well-rotted organic matter, see lily cultivation. Ideal in patio pots, see growing lilies in containers
PruningNo pruning required; tidy by deadheading spent flowers
PropagationPropagate by separating offsets after the foliage dies down
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to lily beetle, aphids and slugs; plants in pots may be susceptible to vine weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to various lily diseases, grey moulds and a virus