Spotted Lily Lilium speciosum

The rubrum lily is a perennial bulb in the lily family (Liliaceae). It is native to Japan, Taiwan, and southeast China and found in forests and grassy slopes at 2900 feet elevation. The genus name is Latin for lily, and the species name means spectacular. The rubrum lily was introduced to English gardens in 1830.

This is one of the easiest lilies to grow. It prefers fertile, acidic, well-drained soils and full sun. The soil should be moist and never dry. They can grow up to four feet tall. Space them seven inches apart in groups of three for the best display. The rubrum lily can be divided every three years in the fall. It should be replanted quickly because it does not have a papery cover to help retain moisture like other bulbs. The plant will take four years to bloom if grown from seeds. In warmer areas, the bulbs can be planted in late autumn.

The rubrum lily blooms later than other lilies in late summer and is extremely fragrant. There can be up to 12 flowers on a single stem. Some commercial cosmetics use the flower’s essential oil to mask other scents. The extract of the bulb is used in some skin conditioners. All lilies are toxic to cats from eating the leaf, licking the pollen, or drinking water from a vase with lilies. The roots prefer cool soil so you should plant with annuals to keep the roots shaded. If you prefer perennials, you can plant hellebores or ferns round the base.

Plant the rubrum lily by the patio, walkway, or in a container where you can smell the fragrance. It can be a specimen plant or used in mass planting in open woodlands, cutting, or pollinator gardens. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It is susceptible to lily beetles, aphids, slugs, Thrips, leatherjackets, wireworms, rabbits, deer, and voles. The stems may need stalking if it is not sheltered against strong winds

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.