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Lilium - Asiatic hybrids

Previously known as:

  • Lilium asiatica
Phonetic Spelling
LIL-ee-um
Description

Asiatic lilies in the Liliaceae family are hybrids bred from several other lilies. They are usually the first to bloom, have no scent and have the widest color range of the lilies. The plants grow 2-5 feet tall from scaly bulbs.

The flowers are 4-6 inches across and are pink, orange, yellow, red, cream, white, and lavender or variegated. They will bloom in spring to summer with outward or upward-facing flowers.

Plant the bulbs per package directions in spring or fall. Full sun to light shade is best and use well-drained loamy soil. Lilies can be used in containers, borders or group plantings. There are many hybrids to choose from in this group.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Bulbs can rot in poorly drained soils. Fungal diseases can occur during a persistent rainy period. Botrytis can affect the stem. The lily beetle and aphids may be pests. They are toxic to cats and rabbits and deer will browse the plants. Lily pollen will stain clothes and hands.

 

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Rock Wall Garden, Scott Arboretum
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Black Spider
    Cream color with Burgundy spots and black centers
  • 'Junior Joy'
    Shorter with orange flowers
  • 'King Pete'
    Yellow with orange spots and darker freckles
  • 'Monte Negro'
    Red flowers
  • 'Push Off'
    Cram flowers with burgundy spots
  • Rosella's Dream
    Early bloomer with cream and pink flowers
  • 'Supreme Joy'
    Orange flowers
  • 'Tiny Nugget'
    Short with yellow flowers
  • 'Tiny Rocket'
    Short with red flowers
'Black Spider, 'Junior Joy', 'King Pete', 'Monte Negro', 'Push Off', Rosella's Dream, 'Supreme Joy', 'Tiny Nugget', 'Tiny Rocket'
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#deer browsing plant#summer bulbs#border planting#bedding plants#cutting garden#problem for cats#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#fall bulb#patio#containers
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Black Spider
    Cream color with Burgundy spots and black centers
  • 'Junior Joy'
    Shorter with orange flowers
  • 'King Pete'
    Yellow with orange spots and darker freckles
  • 'Monte Negro'
    Red flowers
  • 'Push Off'
    Cram flowers with burgundy spots
  • Rosella's Dream
    Early bloomer with cream and pink flowers
  • 'Supreme Joy'
    Orange flowers
  • 'Tiny Nugget'
    Short with yellow flowers
  • 'Tiny Rocket'
    Short with red flowers
'Black Spider, 'Junior Joy', 'King Pete', 'Monte Negro', 'Push Off', Rosella's Dream, 'Supreme Joy', 'Tiny Nugget', 'Tiny Rocket'
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#deer browsing plant#summer bulbs#border planting#bedding plants#cutting garden#problem for cats#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#fall bulb#patio#containers
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lilium
    Family:
    Liliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Three-celled capsules ripen in summer
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Variegated
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Colored Sepals
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    4-6 inches across flowers with 6 colorful sepals and long stamens. They can be outward or upward-facing and bloom in spring to summer. Most have no scent.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Narrow green linear leaves are alternate and appear whorled on the stem with parallel venation
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Stout green to reddish stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats