Lilium sargentiae (IXb-c/a)

RHS Plant Profile
Sargent's lily
Bulbs Herbaceous Perennial

A tall bulbous perennial, to around 1.5m high, with upright stems and narrowly lance-shaped dark green leaves, sometimes producing small green bulbils at the leaf axils. Fragrant, funnel-shaped white flowers with yellow throats are produced from dark reddish-purple buds in mid summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Liliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. TOXIC to pets if eaten (cats) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Lilium are bulbous perennials with erect stems bearing whorled or spirally arranged leaves and terminal racemes or umbels of bowl-shaped, trumpet-shaped, funnel-shaped or turks cap shaped flowers, often fragrant, and white, yellow, orange or red
Name Status
Correct
Horticultural Group
These include lily species and cultivars of lily species with outward and downward-facing flowers

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil enriched with leaf mould or well-rotted organic matter. Ideally, grow in full sun with the base of the plant in shade. May need support, see staking perennials

Propagation

Propagate by division or scaling, see bulb propagation for details

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead after flowering. Cut back stems when foliage dies down

Pests

May be susceptible to lily beetle, aphids, slugs, thrips, leatherjackets and wireworms, as well as small mammals such as rabbits and voles

Diseases

May be susceptible to various fungal infections, including grey moulds, and virus diseases; see lily diseases for more details