Anthericum liliago
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- an-THER-ih-kum lil-EE-ah-go
- Description
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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:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Rock Wall
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees