Formosa Lily Lilium formosanum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Lilium formosanum var. pricei
- Lilium philippinense var. formosanum
- Phonetic Spelling
- LIL-ee-um for-mo-SAH-num
- Description
-
Formosan lily is an herbaceous perennial bulb in the lily family (Liliaceae) native to Taiwan (formerly Formosa). It is in the Longiflorum Lily group and has large fragrant white flowers appearing in late summer to fall. The species epithet is Latin for “of Formosa.”
This lily does best in full sun but will tolerate some shade. Plant in average to fertile, slightly acidic, well-drained loam. This plant can grow 4 to 7 feet tall and may require staking; use care not to drive the stake through the bulb.
This is one of the easiest lilies to grow and provides an excellent return on investment. The tall, erect stems are clothed with fine, narrow leaves. The white flowers are often tinged and striped with purple on their exterior. They are superbly fragrant. Flowers are followed by upturned capsules, which make excellent additions to dried floral arrangements.
Formosan lily works in the late-summer border, cutting garden or cottage garden. It can be planted in containers, but the plants will be smaller. Grow as an accent or a cut flower.
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 developed 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
- Herbaceous Perennial
- 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 to 10 inches long. They are white and sometimes tinged with reddish-purple. The flowers are borne in groups or umbels of up to 10 flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- 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
