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Lilium philadelphicum (Wood Lily)

Wood Lily, Northern Red Lily, Red Lily, Species & Cultivars of Species Group

Lilium philadelphicum, Wood Lily, Wood Lily,  Northern Red Lily, Red Lily, Species Lilies, Summer flowering Bulb, flowering lilies, Orange Lilies
Lilium philadelphicum, Wood Lily, Wood Lily,  Northern Red Lily, Red Lily, Species Lilies, Summer flowering Bulb, flowering lilies, Orange Lilies
Lilium philadelphicum, Wood Lily, Wood Lily,  Northern Red Lily, Red Lily, Species Lilies, Summer flowering Bulb, flowering lilies, Orange Lilies

One of the most widely distributed lilies in North America, Lilium philadelphicum (Wood Lily) is a perennial wildflower with flamboyant, brilliant red-orange flowers, up to 1-3 in. wide (2-7cm). Blooming in mid to late summer for up to 5 weeks, the blossoms are elegantly spotted with purplish-brown freckles. Unlike most Lily species which favor pendant blossoms to protect their pollen supplies, Wood Lily features upward-facing flowers, seeking to attract passing hummingbirds and butterflies to help with pollination. There are usually 1-4 flowers per plant. They are borne atop an unbranched stem clad with whorls of 3-6 narrow leaves, 1-3 in. long (2-7 cm). Cross-pollination is necessary for wood lilies to produce seed, so if seed is desired, plant several bulbs. Easy to grow and low care, Wood Lily comes back year after year. It works well in a garden meadow, along woodland edges, and constitutes an excellent border plant, providing striking color and contrast to grasses or perennials. Victim of its beauty, Wood Lily is too often picked by visitors, and it tends to disappear quickly from intensively grazed meadowland.

  • Grows up to 18-36 in. tall (45-90 cm) and 9-12 in. wide (22-30) cm.
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade in sandy to loam, moist (occasionally dry), well-drained soils. Full sun is best for flowering.
  • Great for butterfly gardens, prairies, meadows, cottage gardens, and native plant gardens.
  • Bulbs may require protection from rodents as Wood Lily is quite popular with rabbits and deer.
  • Propagation is easiest from the division of the scaly bulb, which can be dug as soon as the plant goes dormant and the seed is ripe in late summer. Seeds planted just after collection will usually germinate in the fall and over winter.
  • Toxic to cats (though not for dogs or any known species)
  • This Lily is a member 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!
  • Native from the east coast to the midwest of North America.

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 - 7
Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Liliaceae
Genus Lilium
Common names Lily, Red Lily, Wood Lily
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late),
Height 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm)
Spread 9" - 1' (23cm - 30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, Midwest, Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, Wisconsin, South Dakota, North Dakota, Southeast, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, Rocky Mountains, Colorado
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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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

Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)
Pulsatilla patens (Eastern Pasque Flower)
Liatris punctata var. mucronata (Texas Blazing Star)
Bouteloua gracilis (Blue Grama)

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Lilium martagon (Martagon Lily)
Great Companion Plants for Asiatic Hybrid Lilies
Lilies for Long Summer Blooms
Lilies: Planting Depth and Distance
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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.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 7
Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Liliaceae
Genus Lilium
Common names Lily, Red Lily, Wood Lily
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late),
Height 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm)
Spread 9" - 1' (23cm - 30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, Midwest, Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, Wisconsin, South Dakota, North Dakota, Southeast, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, Rocky Mountains, Colorado
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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

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