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Anthericum liliago

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
an-THER-ih-kum lil-EE-ah-go
Description

Anthericum liliago, or St. Bernard's Lily, is an herbaceous perennial with tuberous roots native to Europe and Turkey.  It is a vigorous plant typically found growing wild in dry pastures, stony places and open wood. The plant produces white, trumpet-shaped, star-like, 1.5 inch long flowers with showy yellow anthers in spike-like clusters atop 2 foot tall stems that rise from a clump of narrow, grass-like, dark green leaves. The flowers resemble lilies and bloom in mid to late spring.

It grows well in average, medium, well-drained soil in full afternoon sun, although it tolerates light, sun-dappled shade. It prefers rich, constantly moist soils. It can be grown from seed or by division of the root stock, but division should be attempted only every 3 to 4 years. You should plant the tuberous roots 2 inches deep and 12 inches apart in the fall or early spring to flower in early summer. This summer bulb is a slow starter but forms large clumps with time and may self-seed under optimum growing conditions. It is not particulary winter hardy and will sustain injury at temperatures below 23 degrees F.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#bulb#full sun tolerant#white flowers#summer flowers#summer bulbs#clumping#flowers early summer#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#bulb#full sun tolerant#white flowers#summer flowers#summer bulbs#clumping#flowers early summer#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Anthericum
    Species:
    liliago
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern Sweden to Southern Europe and Turkey
    Bulb Storage:
    Do not dry out; store at 41-48 degrees F (5-9 degrees C)
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    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, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Trumpet
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    White, trumpet-shaped, star-like, 1.5 inch long flowers with showy yellow anthers in spike-like clusters of 6 to 10 blooms atop 2 foot tall stems that rise from a clump of narrow, grass-like, dark green leaves. This flower typically blooms from May to June.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Grass-like leaves are narrowly linear and can range from 4 to 15 inches long.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Rock Wall
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees