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Gloriosa lutea (Gloriosa Lily)

Climbing Lily, Flame Lily, Glory Lily, Fire Lily, Gloriosa Lily, Superb Lily, Creeping Lily, Gloriosa superba 'lutea'

Gloriosa lutea, Climbing Lily, FLame Lily, Glory Lily, Fire Lily, Gloriosa Lily, Superb Lily, Creeping Lily, Gloriosa superba 'lutea'

Incredibly beautiful, Gloriosa lutea (Gloriosa Lily) is a deciduous, tuberous, tendril climber boasting vibrant lemon-yellow flowers with dramatically forward-reaching stamens and swept-back, ruffled petals. Borne in the upper leaf axils of long, spindly stems, the flowers bloom for up to six weeks from midsummer to fall then turn into wacky-looking ribbed seed pods. The leaves of Gloriosa Lilies are another wonder. From the tip of each glossy green leaf sprouts a long green tendril that twirls out to grasp whatever is nearby by spinning itself around it. The stem hoists itself upward or outward, bearing its flowers like so many parachutes or butterflies.

  • Grows up to 3 ft. high (90 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm).
  • Thrives in full sun or partial shade in rich, well-drained soil that retains its moisture.
  • Plant your Gloriosa tubers 3 in. (7 cm) deep and 12 in. apart (30 cm) in early spring after the last frost date. Shoots will emerge two to six weeks after planting. For best effect, provide an upright structure for the emerging stems to grasp.
  • Cut down top growth as it dies back after flowering.
  • If you live in a cool area (hardiness zones 3-7) and want to save your bulbs, you may lift and clean the tubers planted in the garden for winter storage at a cool room temperature (60° F to 70° F). Bulbs in pots may be stored indoors right in their pots, ready for use the next summer.
  • Highly toxic if ingested, tubers may cause skin irritation. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses, toxic to humans.
  • On the bright side, this means they are generally impervious to garden pests such as deer and squirrels. Even so, in some areas, squirrels have become so aggressive that they may dig up the tubers before rejecting them as a snack. To counter such foragers, simply replant the tubers or position rocks over the planting site until the plants get established.

Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 10
Heat Zones 7 - 11
Plant Type Bulbs, Climbers
Plant Family Colchicaceae
Genus Gloriosa
Common names Flame Lily, Gloriosa Lily, Fire Lily
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Depth 3" (8cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Garden Uses Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Gloriosa rothschildiana (Gloriosa Lily)
Gloriosa carsonii (Gloriosa Lily)
Gloriosa superba ‘Greenii’ (Gloriosa Lily)
Gloriosa superba ‘Himalayan Select’ (Gloriosa Lily)
Gloriosa Lilies

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26 Terrific Summer Bulbs to Grow in your Garden or Pots
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 10
Heat Zones 7 - 11
Plant Type Bulbs, Climbers
Plant Family Colchicaceae
Genus Gloriosa
Common names Flame Lily, Gloriosa Lily, Fire Lily
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Depth 3" (8cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Garden Uses Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Gloriosa (Gloriosa Lily) to pick?
Compare Now

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