1 named cultivar

‘Casa Blanca’Casa Blanca Lily

bulb corm tuber

Lily

Lilium x auratum

The Story

Plant Bio

Lilium auratum, the golden-rayed lily, is a Japanese species lily growing two to five feet high on stiff leafy stems. The flowers are among the largest in the genus, six-tepalled and outward-facing, white with a gold band down each tepal and crimson speckling, opening in July and August. The scent is powerful and carries.

It wants its head in sun and its roots in shade, which in practice means mulching the base or planting low perennials over the root run rather than choosing between the two. Aphids transmit lily mosaic virus, for which there is no cure, so controlling them promptly matters more here than any other routine task.

Uses & Benefits:

Very large white flowers banded with gold and speckled crimson, carried on tall leafy stems.

A powerfully scented cut flower, and one of the easier species lilies for an ordinary garden.

Large open scented flowers are worked by butterflies and long-tongued bees in high summer.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Bulb Corm Tuber

Height

42 inches

Width

12 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

6, 7, 8

Water

Medium

Humidity

Average

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Japan

Toxicity

Severely toxic to cats

Planting

How to Grow

Plant bulbs in autumn in rich, organic, free-draining loam.
Site with the top of the plant in sun and the roots shaded.
Mulch around the base to keep the root zone cool.
Water through the growing season without waterlogging.
Control aphids promptly; they spread incurable virus.
Stake tall stems in exposed positions.

Pro Tip

Mulch or underplant so the roots stay cool while the stem is in sun; that split is what this lily actually asks for.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Keep the root zone cool and mulched 🍂
Give the top of the plant full sun ☀️
Control aphids promptly 🐛
Stake tall stems in wind 🪵

Don't

Let the bulb sit in waterlogged soil ❌
Ignore aphids; they carry incurable virus ❌
Grow it where cats have access ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Inspect
Plant

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Border and cottage garden featureCutting garden for scented stemsLarge container planting

Companion Plants

Hardy Geranium Hosta AstrantiaLady's Mantle Japanese Anemone

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Lily questions

What zones can Lily grow in?

Lily is hardy in USDA Zones 6–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Lily deer resistant?

Yes — Lily is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Lily bloom?

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

Does Lily need full sun?

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