bulb corm tuber

Orange Lily

Lilium bulbiferum

The Story

Plant Bio

Lilium bulbiferum is a deciduous, bulbous herbaceous perennial native to the mountainous regions of continental Europe, producing stiff, upright, unbranched stems. The foliage consists of dark green, linear to lance-shaped leaves arranged spirally or scattered along the stems.

The species is distinguished by its upright, open bowl-shaped flowers of bright yellow-orange to dark orange, marked with reddish-brown spots. Subspecies bulbiferum produces dark purple-brown bulbils in the leaf axils, whereas variety croceum lacks these structures.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides striking, upright vertical accents with bright orange, bowl-shaped flowers that stand out in mixed borders and containers.

Excellent as a long-lasting cut flower for indoor arrangements.

Attracts generalist insect pollinators and hummingbirds to its open, pollen-rich blooms.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Bulb Corm Tuber

Height

48"

Width

18"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Medium

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Continental Europe

Toxicity

Highly toxic to cats; toxic to dogs and humans

Bloom period

Late spring – Summer

In flower about 4 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site that receives full sun to partial shade, ideally where the upper stems are exposed to sunlight while the root zone remains shaded and cool.
Prepare a rich, organic, well-draining loam with a neutral to slightly acidic or alkaline pH, avoiding heavy clay that retains excess moisture.
Plant bulbs in fall or early spring at a depth of three times the height of the bulb, ensuring the soil is loose and aerated beneath them.
Maintain even soil moisture throughout the growing season, watering when the top inch of soil dries out, but never allowing the ground to become waterlogged.

Pro Tip

Leave the green flower stalks intact after blooming; cutting them back too early deprives the underground bulb of the photosynthetic energy required to survive winter and flower the following year.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Mulch the root zone to keep the soil cool and retain necessary moisture.
Apply a balanced, slow-release organic fertilizer in spring as new growth emerges.
Provide good air circulation around the foliage to prevent fungal diseases like botrytis blight.
Remove spent flowers to prevent seed production and redirect energy back into the bulb.

Don't

Do not cut back the green foliage or stems after flowering until they have completely yellowed and died back in late fall.
Do not plant in heavy, poorly drained clay soils where standing water will cause the bulbs to rot.
Do not allow the soil to dry out completely, as the plant has low to moderate drought tolerance.
Do not use overhead watering, which increases the risk of botrytis blight on leaves and flowers.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Deadhead
Fertilize
Pest Check
Winter Prep

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Cottage gardensMixed perennial bordersCut flower gardensContainer planting

Companion Plants

Hosta Salvia nemorosa Geranium

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Orange Lily questions

What zones can Orange Lily grow in?

Orange Lily is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Orange Lily deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Orange Lily, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Orange Lily bloom?

Orange Lily typically blooms in late spring through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Orange Lily need full sun?

Orange Lily does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.