Formosan lily is a species native to Taiwan that brings late-summer elegance to zones 5-8 with towering stems reaching 4 to 7 feet tall. From August through September, each bulb produces 2-3 stiff stems crowned with pendant, trumpet-shaped flowers that stretch 8-12 inches long, pure white with occasional reddish-purple exterior tints, and sweetly fragrant. This lily grows easily in average, well-drained soil with consistent moisture, thriving in full sun to partial shade with minimal fussing once established.
Partial Sun
Moderate
5-8
84in H x 36in W
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Moderate
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The showy pendant flowers emit a sweet fragrance that fills the garden in late summer when many other lilies have faded. Trumpet-shaped and pure white with hints of color on the exterior, each bloom stretches 8 to 12 inches long. Lance-shaped deep green leaves clothe the sturdy stems, creating a striking architectural presence in the border. Taller plants occasionally need staking, especially in too much shade or windy sites, but for most gardeners this species proves reliably low-maintenance and long-blooming.
Formosan lilies are grown as ornamental bulbs for cutting gardens and herbaceous borders, valued for their fragrant, showy late-summer flowers and striking height. The pendant trumpet blooms make excellent cut flowers for arrangements.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Pot-grown plants may be transplanted any time from spring to fall.
Remove flowers as they fade to reduce the setting of seed and redirect bulb energy. Cut plants back after bloom concludes. Taller plants may need staking if grown in too much shade, where stems weaken, or in locations exposed to strong winds.
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“Lilium formosanum is native to Taiwan, historically known as Formosa, and takes its common name from this island home. As a species lily rather than a hybrid, it represents an unmodified botanical form that has been cultivated and shared among gardeners as its amenable growing habits became appreciated in temperate zones.”