About
Lilium superbum, the American turk's cap lily, is a vigorous, stem-rooting lily with purple-mottled green stems and linear, vivid-green leaves. In late summer and early autumn it produces long racemes of up to 40 pendant turk's cap flowers to 7 cm across, with red-flushed orange tepals green towards the base and spotted with maroon � one of the most spectacular of all native North American lilies.
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, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Wildflower meadow
Native toE United States
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 neutral to acid well-drained soil enriched with leaf mould or well-rotted organic matter
PruningNo pruning required
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 resistanceGrey moulds and a virus may cause problems, see lily diseases