Lilium philadelphicum
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Lilium umbellatum
- Phonetic Spelling
- LIL-ee-um fil-ah-DEL-fih-kum
- Description
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Wood Lily is a perennial wildflower native from the east coast to the midwest of North America. It can be found in the mountains of NC in dry woods, meadows, and prairies. This plant can vary widely as to color and size depending on its location and is one of the most wide-spread lilies in North America. The upward-facing orangish-red blooms are in groups of 1-3 and occur in early to mid-summer.
This plant prefers sandy to loam soils in full sun to partial shade. Use in the native pollinator or butterfly garden in small groups. They can be slow to establish.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
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:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lilium
- Species:
- philadelphicum
- Family:
- Liliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern to mid-western North America
- Distribution:
- CO , IA , IL , IN , KY , MI , MN , MT , ND , NE , NM , OH , SD , TX , WI , WY Canada: BC , SK
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract butterflies. Plants are browsed by deer and rabbits.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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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:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- A 3-chambered capsule containing hundreds of wafer-thin disc-shaped seeds in fall.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Orange
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 2" orange-red flowers with purplish-brown spots are held upward in groups of 1-3. The reddish-orange flowers have yellow and speckles near the base. 6 long stamens with maroon anthers in the center. Blooms early to mid-summer for up to 5 weeks.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are of narrow elliptic to linear, stalkless with pointed tips and parallel veins. Surfaces are smooth and the underside is paler in color. Leaves are alternate with at least 1 whorl of 3-6 near the top of the stem.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Round green unbranched stems to 4 feet tall. Sometimes glaucous.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
