Turkscap Lily (Lilium superbum) is the tallest native American lily, a towering perennial that grows 4 to 6 feet tall, sometimes reaching 8 feet in ideal conditions. Native to eastern North America where it thrives in wet meadows and moist woods, this species produces dozens of downward-facing, nodding orange flowers with greenish throats densely spotted in dark maroon, each bloom 2.5 to 4 inches wide. Hardy from zones 5 to 8, it brings a wildflower elegance to rain gardens and naturalized plantings while attracting butterflies and hummingbirds with its fragrant, showy blooms in July through September. The plant spreads via stoloniferous bulbs to form impressive colonies in the wild, though it may spread slowly in cultivation if conditions aren't ideal.
Partial Sun
Moderate
5-8
84in H x 9in W
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Moderate
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This dramatic native lily commands attention with its height and abundance of nodding, turk's-cap-shaped flowers in rich orange with maroon spots. Fragrant and irresistible to pollinators, it flourishes in consistently moist, humusy soils where other tall lilies might struggle, making it one of the finest choices for rain gardens and wet meadow restoration. The plant grows steadily taller as it matures, eventually reaching heights that tower over surrounding plantings, creating a genuinely impressive vertical element in the landscape.
Turkscap Lily excels in naturalized plantings and rain gardens where its preference for consistently moist soil can be fully satisfied. The tall stems and showy, fragrant blooms make it valuable for creating vertical interest in wet landscape areas where conventional ornamentals often fail. Its ability to attract butterflies and hummingbirds through summer adds ecological value to gardens and wild areas alike.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Plant bulbs in fall, 5 to 6 inches deep in moist, humusy, well-draining soil enriched with organic matter.
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“Turkscap Lily is native to eastern North America, occurring naturally in wet meadows and moist woodlands from New Hampshire south to Georgia and Alabama. This species represents one of the region's most impressive native lilies and has been valued by gardeners for generations as a way to bring authentic meadow character to home landscapes. Its tall stature and ability to naturalize in appropriate conditions have made it a cornerstone plant for those seeking to recreate the botanical richness of eastern woodland and wetland ecosystems.”