Plant DetailShow Menu

Northern Red Lily Lilium philadelphicum

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Lilium umbellatum
Phonetic Spelling
LIL-ee-um fil-ah-DEL-fih-kum
Description

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:
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#orange flowers#NC native#summer flowers#native garden#mountains#pollinator plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#wildflower#meadow
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#orange flowers#NC native#summer flowers#native garden#mountains#pollinator plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#wildflower#meadow
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    A 3-chambered capsule containing hundreds of wafer-thin disc-shaped seeds in fall.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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