Lilium formosanum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- LIL-ee-um for-MOH-sa-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. 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.
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 Demo 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
