Create Your Garden

Lilium michiganense (Michigan Lily)

Michigan Lily, Turk's Cap Lily

Lilium michiganense, Michigan Lily, Summer flowering Bulb, Orange Lilies, Lily Flower

Native to northern and central North America, Lilium michiganense (Michigan Lily) is an incredibly graceful species with slender stems clad with lance-shaped leaves arranged in whorls. In early to mid-summer, orange-red flowers, 3 in. wide (7 cm), resembling Turk’s cap Lilies appear at the top of the stems and last about 1 month. Downward facing and strongly reflexed, they are covered with purple speckles, giving them the appearance of the skin of a tiger. They are commonly visited by butterflies and hummingbirds. Michigan Lily is amazingly decorative and quite prolific as mature bulbs can produce up to 8 blossoms per stem. This Lily is stoloniferous and will spread slowly in the garden.

  • Grows up to 2-5 ft. tall (60-150 cm) and 1-2 ft. wide (30-60 cm). Michigan Lily naturalizes well and comes back year after year. Wet soil tolerant.
  • Performs best in full sun or light shade in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils.
  • An excellent border plant providing striking color and contrast. Great for cottage gardens, prairies, meadows, and rain gardens.
  • No serious pest or disease issues.
  • Plant bulbs 5-6 in. deep (12-15 cm) and 12-18 in. apart (30-45 cm) in 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)
  • Cultivation from seed is slow and difficult, while cultivation from bulbs or transplants is somewhat faster and easier.

Lilies: How to Grow and Care with Success


Want to learn how to grow and care for lilies like a pro? Follow these simple steps and enjoy the beauty of these striking plants.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Liliaceae
Genus Lilium
Common names Michigan Lily, Turk's Cap Lily, Lily
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid),
Height 2' - 5' (60cm - 150cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 15" - 18" (40cm - 50cm)
Depth 5" - 6" (13cm - 15cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, New York, Nebraska, Minnesota, South Dakota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Midwest, Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Southeast, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Southwest, Oklahoma
Tolerance Wet Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Lilium (Lily)
Guides with
Lilium (Lily)
Not sure which Lilium (Lily) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Lilium lancifolium White (White Tiger Lily)
Lilium ‘Giraffe’ (Asiatic Lily)
Lilium ‘Forever Susan’ (Asiatic Lily)
Lilium ‘Gaybird’ (Martagon Lily)
Lilium ‘Flavia’ (Orienpet Lily)
Lilium ‘Chameleon’ (Martagon Lily)

Recommended Companion Plants

Chelone glabra (White Turtlehead)
Eupatorium maculatum (Spotted Joe-Pye Weed)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Pure White Flowers for a Touch of Elegance in Your Garden
26 Terrific Summer Bulbs to Grow in your Garden or Pots
Popular Flower Bulbs For Your Garden and Pots
Great Companion Plants for Lilies
Most Fragrant Lilies
Oriental Lilies
Tiger Lily: A Bold and Beautiful Garden Addition
Lilium martagon (Martagon Lily)
Great Companion Plants for Asiatic Hybrid Lilies
Lilies for Long Summer Blooms
Lilies: Planting Depth and Distance
Plant Combination Ideas with Lilies
Great Companion Plants for Martagon Lilies
Great Companion Plants for Oriental Hybrid Lilies
Great Companion Plants for Orienpet Hybrid Lilies
Great Companion Plants for Trumpet Hybrid Lilies
Asiatic Lilies
Orienpet Lilies
Trumpet Lilies
Species and Wild Lilies
Most Fragrant LA Hybrids and Orienpet Lilies
Most Fragrant Oriental Lilies
Most Fragrant Trumpet Lilies
Most Fragrant Species Lilies
Lilies: How to Grow and Care with Success
Best Lilies For Pots and Containers
Plants with Pink Flowers to Add Romance to Your Garden
How to Choose Lilies
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.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Liliaceae
Genus Lilium
Common names Michigan Lily, Turk's Cap Lily, Lily
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid),
Height 2' - 5' (60cm - 150cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 15" - 18" (40cm - 50cm)
Depth 5" - 6" (13cm - 15cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, New York, Nebraska, Minnesota, South Dakota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Midwest, Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Southeast, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Southwest, Oklahoma
Tolerance Wet Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Lilium (Lily)
Guides with
Lilium (Lily)
Not sure which Lilium (Lily) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Lilium michiganense (Michigan Lily) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Lilium michiganense (Michigan Lily) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone