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Bulbs

Ixiolirion tataricum

Siberian lily

A low-growing, hardy bulbous perennial to around 40cm in height, with long, thin, grass-like blue-green foliage. Funnel-shaped bright blue flowers with darker stripes appear on long, slender stems from May to July. Suits smaller gardens well, bringing a splash of colour to rock gardens and small borders and may be left undisturbed to naturalise in wildflower meadows

Synonyms

Ixiolirion pallasii

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1 year

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Ixioliriaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming, Columnar upright
Genus: Ixiolirion are bulbous perennials with narrowly lance-shaped leaves and racemes or umbels of deep blue, funnel-shaped flowers in spring and early summer
Name status: Correct
Plant range: E Turkey to Kashmir

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position. Water regularly during the growing season and feed with a high-potash fertiliser when flowering. Mulch in winter and leave undisturbed to encourage naturalisation

Propagation

Propagate by division in late autumn to early winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Rock garden
Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and lily beetle

Diseases

Generally disease-free but may be susceptible to lily diseases

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