About
This trumpet lily, a bulbous herbaceous perennial about 1.8-2m high, with spiralling green leaves, and pyramidal racemes of up to twelve powerfully scented, slightly pendent, outward-facing, trumpet-shaped flowers, up to 15cm long, which are golden-orange with a reddish-brown flush on the outside, in midsummer.
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
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
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
CultivationPlant bulbs in autumn, 15cm deep, in moist but well-drained soil enriched with leaf mould or well-rotted organic matter, in a sheltered position, with the base of the plant in shade, for example from ground-cover plants, and the rest of the plant in full sun or light dappled shade
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division: detach offset bulblets when the leaves die down and plants become dormant, and pot them on
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to lily beetle, aphids, slugs, snails, thrips, leatherjackets, and wireworms, and by rabbits and voles; plants in containers may be susceptible to vine weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to lily disease, other fungal diseases, and virus diseases; for more advice, see lily diseases