Lilium superbum (IXc/d)
Turk's cap lily
A vigorous stem-rooting lily with purple-mottled green stems and linear bright green leaves; in late summer and early autumn it produces long racemes of up to 40 pendent turkscap flowers, to 7cm across, with red-flushed orange tepals, green towards the bases and spotted maroon
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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Orange Purple Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical 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
- E United States
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in neutral to acid well-drained soil enriched with leaf mould or well-rotted organic matter
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
- Patio and container plants
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Wildflower meadow
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
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
Grey moulds and a virus may cause problems, 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.