St. Bernard's Lily Anthericum liliago
- Phonetic Spelling
- an-THER-ih-kum lil-EE-ah-go
- Description
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St. Bernard's Lily is an herbaceous perennial in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae) native to Europe and Turkey. It is a vigorous plant typically found growing wild in dry pastures, stony places and open wood.
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. it is slow to get started but forms large clumps with time and may self-seed in the garden.
The showy white trumpet-shaped flowers have yellow anthers and appear on 2-foot stems in clusters in spring to early summer. The foliage grows in clumps with grass-like leaves.
Use in borders, rock gardens or along walkways and walls for edging.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Major'
Larger white flowers. Received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
- 'Major'
- 'Major'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Major'
Larger white flowers. Received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
- 'Major'
- 'Major'
- Tags:
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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
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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:
- The trumpet-shaped flowers bloom in clusters on a 2-foot stem and are 1.5 inches across. They are white with yellow anthers and bloom 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
