Lilium superbum

Common Names

Turk's Cap Lily, Swamp Lily, American Tiger Lily, Turban Lily, Turk's Head Lily

Summary

Lilium superbum, Turk’s-cap lily, is an eastern North American bulbous perennial native to wetlands and moist woods of the eastern United States, it grows tall stems with whorled leaves and pendent orange to red flowers that are heavily freckled with maroon, with strongly reflexed tepals forming a Turk’s-cap shape and a green star at the base, flowers are non-scented and a single plant can bear up to 40 blooms, with bulbs that are stoloniferous and form impressive colonies, for cultivation, it prefers full sun to partial shade in rich, moist loamy soils, with roots kept moist and mulch to retain moisture, plant bulbs 5–6 inches deep, blooms occur in mid-summer, propagation by seed or by division of bulbs, hardy in USDA zones 4–9, it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, it is susceptible to pests such as lily beetle, aphids, slugs, snails, thrips, leatherjackets, wireworms, and to rabbits and voles, can tolerate some drought once established, well suited to borders, near ponds or bogs, rain gardens, and meadow or cottage garden plantings.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

4-8 feet

Spread

6-9 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun, tolerates Partial Sun or Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained loamy soil rich in organic matter; lime-free, slightly acidic to neutral pH.

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil.

Soil pH

Slightly acidic to neutral

Bloom Color

Orange

Bloom Time

Summer to Fall

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Vigorous growth

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, Bulblets from bulb scales, Stolons

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, Attracts hummingbirds, Attracts butterflies, Attracts other pollinators, Attracts birds