Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Cream Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Liliaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- 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
Accepted
- Horticultural Group
- Division Ib lilies are Asiatic Hybrids, with alternate leaves and outward-facing, open-funnel-shaped flowers in mid summer
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil enriched with leaf mould or well-rotted organic matter in full sun with the base of the plant in shade. In a container grow in loam based potting compost such as John Innes No 2 with added grit and leaf mould. Water freely and apply a high potash liquid fertiliser every two weeks. Keep moist in winter
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sown, when ripe, in containers in a cold frame or separate offsets after the foliage dies down
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Flower borders and beds
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
In autumn, once foliage has yellowed, cut back to ground level
Pests
May be susceptible to lily beetle, aphids, slugs, snails, Thrips, leatherjackets, and wireworms, and to damage by rabbits and voles; plants in containers may be susceptible to vine weevil
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey moulds and a virus; see lily diseases
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.