Lilium lancifolium White (White Tiger Lily)

Lilium lancifolium White, commonly known as White Tiger Lily, is a beautiful and exotic-looking lily that adds elegance and charm to any garden. Its striking white petals, speckled with dark spots, offer a unique twist on the traditional Tiger Lily.

The Tiger Lily is a member of the Liliaceae family, including the popular tulip, fritillaria, and trout lily.

Description

Lilium lancifolium, commonly known as the Tiger Lily, is famous for its recurved petals covered with dark speckles. Though the typical species bears orange flowers, the white variety offers a lighter, more elegant version of this iconic plant. The white flowers have a similar shape and size to the classic orange Tiger Lily, featuring prominent spots that contrast with the soft white petals. Like its more common counterpart, it is a showy perennial that brings a striking visual element to gardens.

Native Habitat

Lilium lancifolium originates from eastern Asia, specifically China, Japan, and Korea. It has been cultivated for centuries and is now naturalized in various regions of North America and Europe. Though the white variety is a result of cultivation, it shares the same genetic lineage as the orange Tiger Lily.

Plant Type and Habit

The plant is a bulbous perennial with an upright habit. Its stems grow vertically and bear whorls of narrow leaves along the length of the stem. It comes back year after year.

Plant Size

This lily typically grows 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) tall, although it can occasionally reach up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in ideal conditions. The plant spreads slowly as bulbs produce offsets, forming small clumps over time. Each bulb will produce a single tall stem, leading to an elegant but narrow profile in the garden.

Lily Flowers

The white flowers feature six recurved petals with bold black or dark purple spots. The flowers are trumpet-shaped and usually grow in clusters of 5 to 20 blooms per stem, making for a dramatic display. These flowers can reach up to 5 inches (12 cm) across.

This lily typically blooms in mid to late summer. The long bloom time, combined with the striking flowers, ensures that it remains a focal point in the garden during its flowering period.

Foliage

The foliage consists of slender, lance-shaped leaves that alternate along the stem. They are dark green and measure about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long. The leaves form in a whorled arrangement, creating an attractive vertical green column even when the plant is not in bloom.

Hardiness

This lily is hardy in USDA zones 3-9, making it suitable for a wide range of climates. It can tolerate cold winters, surviving through underground bulbs, but requires protection from extreme heat.

Uses

This white variety of Tiger Lily is most commonly used in ornamental gardens, where it serves as a vertical accent plant or a background plant in perennial borders. It pairs well with other summer-blooming perennials like phlox and black-eyed susans. This white lily is also popular in cut flower arrangements because of its long-lasting blooms and tall stems.

Wildlife

Tiger Lilies, including the white variety, are excellent for attracting pollinators, especially butterflies and bees are drawn to the large, brightly colored flowers. Hummingbirds may also visit the blooms, although they are more attracted to the orange version. The large flowers produce ample nectar, making them a valuable addition to pollinator gardens.

Deer and Rabbits

Tiger Lilies are generally considered deer-resistant.

Toxicity

Like many members of the Liliaceae family, Lilium lancifolium White is toxic to cats. Ingesting a small part of the plant, including the flowers or leaves, can cause severe kidney damage in felines. Care should be taken to keep this plant out of reach of pets. The plant is generally not toxic to dogs or humans, though it may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested.

Invasiveness

This lily is not considered invasive. While the bulbs will slowly multiply over time, they do not spread aggressively or take over garden spaces. You can manage its spread by digging up and dividing the bulbs every few years.

Benefits

• Long Bloom Time: The white variety of Tiger Lily blooms for several weeks in summer, providing long-lasting beauty to the garden.
• Pollinator-Friendly: Its large flowers attract bees, butterflies, and sometimes hummingbirds, supporting local ecosystems.
• Ornamental Value: The tall stems and dramatic, speckled flowers make it a standout in garden beds or as cut flowers in arrangements.
• Moderately Deer-Resistant: While not immune to deer and rabbits, Lilium lancifolium White is typically less appealing to these creatures.
• Cold Hardy: With its ability to survive cold winters, it is a great option for cooler climates.

Tiger Lily Care

Sunlight: Tiger Lilies thrive in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. They prefer at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. In extremely hot climates, some afternoon shade can help protect the blooms from scorching.

Soil: These lilies do best in well-draining, slightly acidic soil. If your garden has heavy clay soil, consider amending it with sand and organic matter to improve drainage and texture.

Planting: Plant bulbs in early spring or fall. Bury them about 4-6 inches deep and space them about 8-12 inches apart to allow room for growth. The pointy end of the bulb should face upwards.

Watering: Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Tiger Lilies appreciate consistent moisture during the growing season, especially when shoots are emerging and while they are blooming.

Fertilization: Feed Tiger Lilies a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer every few weeks during the spring and early summer. Stop feeding once the flowers have bloomed to avoid over-fertilization, which can lead to fewer blooms the following season.

Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the roots cool.

Pruning: Deadhead flowers as they fade to maintain a neat appearance and prevent the plant from diverting energy into seed production. After blooming, leave the stems in place as they will continue to photosynthesize and gather energy for the next season.

Overwintering: In colder regions, mulch heavily after the first frost to protect bulbs from freezing.

Propagation: Tiger Lilies can be propagated by bulbils that form in leaf axils or by dividing bulbs every few years in the fall.

Pests and Diseases: Watch for lily beetles and aphids. Fungal diseases like fusarium wilt and botrytis blight can also occur, especially in damp conditions. To minimize these risks, ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering.