Tiger Lilies (Lilium lancifolium or Lilium tigrinum) command our attention with their bright and showy, orange-colored flowers covered with black or deep crimson spots, giving the appearance of the skin of the tiger, hence their common name. Native of China and Japan, they are robust and easy to grow. Amazingly decorative, Tiger Lilies feature unscented 5 inch blossoms (12 cm), mostly downward facing with gracefully recurved tepals. Prolific, mature bulbs can produce up to 12 blossoms per stem and will multiply to form clumps over the years.
- Blooming in mid to late summer, they come back year after year and constitute excellent border plants, providing striking color and contrast to the perennial border and mix beautifully with annuals and other summer flowering bulbs. Their colors are at their loveliest next to ferns and/or hostas. They are well suited to containers and the cutting garden too (they can last up to 2 weeks in a vase).
- Growing up to 3-4 feet tall (90-120 cm) on slender stems clad with strongly lance-shaped leaves, they are highly disease-resistant and perform best in full sun or part shade. Tiger Lilies are not fussy about soils, provided they are well-drained. Good moisture is required and dry soils should be avoided!
- Plant in spring or fall. Plant in groups of 3 bulbs at a minimum for a striking display! When flowering is over, cut back leaves and stems after they turn yellow.
- Toxic to cats (though not for dogs or any known species)
- These Lilies are members of the Species and cultivars of species Division (IX) which includes all species and their subspecies, varieties and forms, and cultivars selected therefrom (excluding those derived from formosanum, longiflorum, philippinense and wallichianum). There are 9 different types of lilies classified by the Royal Horticultural Society. And they are all real eye-catchers!
