Lilium superbum – Turk’s-cap Lily

General Information: A tall, stunning, native Lily. This plant works well as a hedge or a specimen planting. An attractive choice for a pollinator garden. This plant will attract large pollinators such as Hummingbirds, Sphinx Moths, and Swallowtail Butterflies. Large orange flowers hang from this handsome plant. These plants spread by underground runners (stolons). When happy the plant will spread well, however this may take a long time. Whether you have one plant or 100, in early summer you will still be rewarded with a bouquet of flowers. It has been recorded that a single plant has produced up to 40 flowers! This easy-to-grow plant is considered by many to be among the most attractive native wildflowers.

Cultivation Details: Blooms measure 5-8” across, while plants usually reach 4-6’ in height. Under ideal conditions, plants can reach 8 feet. This plant’s native habitat is along sunny stream banks, wetland meadows, and forest edges. In fall, the bulbs can be dug up for propagation. Bulb scales and bulblets can be removed from the parent plant and spread around. Plants propagated from scales or bulblets may take a few years to flower. A gorgeous plant equally at home in rewilding projects or as a specimen in the traditional home garden.

Edible Qualities: The bulbs are edible when cooked, and reminiscent of turnips. Used in soup by Indigenous Peoples. Note: This species is edible, however other plants in the genus Lilium are toxic. Please use caution when harvesting, especially if these plants have been grown in proximity to non-native toxic Lilies.

Growing Requirements: Plant in full sun to slight shade. Prefers moist well-drained soils. Prefers a humus-rich soil that does not dry out and has a sandy or loamy subsoil. Mulch plants yearly to ensure moisture retention. Does not tolerate hard clays. Suitable for acidic or neutral soils. Does not tolerate alkaline soils.