Lilium candidum (IXb/a)
Madonna lily
A perennial with stems to 1.8m in height, with glossy dark green, scattered leaves. Fragrant, trumpet-shaped pure white flowers 6-8cm in length are carried in terminal racemes of up to 20 in summer
Other common names
Annunciation lilyAscension lily
see moreBourbon lily
French lily
Juno's rose
St Joseph's lily
white lily
Synonyms
Lilium 'The Madonna Lily'
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical 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
- Plant range
- S Europe, SW Asia
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil enriched with leaf mould or well-rotted organic matter. Tolerant of drier soil but must be planted very close to the soil surface
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
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
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.