Lilium formosanum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- LIL-ee-um for-mo-SAH-num
- Description
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Formosan Lily is a flowering bulb in the lily family native to Tawain (formerly Formosa) that has large fragrant white flowers appearing in late summer to fall. It is in the Longiflorum Lily group. This plant can grow 4-7 feet tall.
This lily does best in full sun but will tolerate some shade. Plant in average to fertile slightly acidic well-drained loams. Use in the fall border, cutting garden or cottage garden. They can be planted in containers but will be smaller.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, bulb rot and Botrytis.
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:
- Davidson County Extension Demonstration Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lilium
- Species:
- formosanum
- Family:
- Liliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tawain
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Good Dried
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Upperward facing seedpods remain attractive in the garden or for dried arrangements.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- 6 petaled trumpet-shaped flowers are 6- 10 inches long. They are white and sometimes tinged with reddish-purple. Occur in 1-2 groups or umbrels up to 10 flowers on stems.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 8-inch lance-shaped green leaves
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stiff green stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
