Turkscap Lily (Lilium Superbum)

Turkscap Lily

Features and Characteristics

Lilium superbum, commonly called Turk’s cap lily, is native to eastern North America where it occurs in wet meadows and moist woods from New Hampshire south to Georgia and Alabama. This is the tallest of the native American lilies, typically growing 4-6′ (less frequently to 8′) tall. Elliptic to lance-shaped leaves (to 6″ long) are arranged in whorls around the stems. Downward-facing, nodding, Turk’s cap-type, orange flowers (5 to 4″ wide) with greenish throats are densely-spotted with maroon. Sharply-reflexed sepals and petals curve backward to touch at the stem thus forming a “Turk’s cap”. Flowers appear in a loose inflorescence atop upright stems in early to mid summer. Michigan lily (Lilium michiganense) is a similar-in-appearance Turk’s cap-type lily that is native to Missouri.

Genus name comes from the Latin name meaning lily.

Specific epithet means superb.

Care and Maintenance

Easily grown in average, medium to wet, well-drained soils in full sun to part/filtered sun. Best in consistently moist, humusy soils. Soils should not be allowed to dry out. Mulch helps keep root zone cool. Plant bulbs 5-6″ deep in fall. Bulbs are stoloniferous, and plants often spread to form impressive colonies in the wild. May be slow to spread in cultivation, particularly when sited in less than optimum growing conditions.

Turkscap Lily (Lilium Superbum) Requirements

Hardiness zone	5 - 8
Sun light	Full Sun To Part Shade
Water	Medium To Wet
Maintenance	Medium

Common Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Uses

Borders, cottage gardens, native plant gardens or meadows. Good plant for moist low spots or pond peripheries. Best grouped or massed.

Turkscap Lily (Lilium Superbum) Details

Common name	Turkscap Lily
Botanical name	Lilium Superbum
Plant type	Bulb
Family	Liliaceae
Hardiness zone	5 - 8
Water	Medium To Wet
Maintenance	Medium
Flower color	Orange, Spotted Maroon
Flowering period	July
Height	4 - 7 Ft.
Width	0.50 To 0.75 Feet