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Phlox Subulata (moss pink) in landscape. Photo © Elaine Mills
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Lilium superbum (Turk’s-cap Lily)

Lilium superbum (Turk's-cap Lily) flower buds in June. Lilium superbum (Turk's-cap Lily) flower buds in June.
Lilium superbum (Turk's-cap Lily) flowers in July
Lilium superbum (Turk's-cap Lily) flowers in July
Lilium superbum (Turk's-cap Lily) flowers in July
Lilium superbum (Turk's-cap Lily) flower in July

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Lilium superbum Turk’s-cap Lily The tallest and showiest of the native lilies, Turk’s-cap frequents wet meadows and moist woods primarily in the Mid-Atlantic Region.* A single plant can bear up to 40 individual flowers, which are noted for their stunning color, reflexed tepals, and prominent stamens. Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic Perennial Plant in Bud, Flower Height: 4–7 feet Spread: 1⁄2–1 foot Bloom Color: Orange Characteristics Herbaceous perennial with a stout, smooth, unbranched stem from a bulb Lanceolate leaves with smooth margins and parallel veins arranged in whorls around stem Large, nodding orange flowers with greenish throats, maroon spots, reflexed tepals, long, brown-tipped stigma, and six exserted stamens July to August Oblong, three-lobed fruit capsules contain flat seeds with papery wings in September Spreads by wind-borne seeds and bulb offsets Attributes Tolerates wet soil or drought when established; no serious diseases, but look out for aphids, mites, and slugs; deer occasionally to frequently severely damage foliage and voles like to eat the bulbs Native Americans used bulbs in soups Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and large day-flying insects; larval host to ~9 lepidopterans Growing and Maintenance Tips Excellent Replacement for Soil Requirements: Well-drained Hemerocallis fulva - Common Daylily Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Lilium lancifolium - Tiger Lily Water Requirements: Moist, Wet Lilium species - Asiatic & Oriental hybrids Plant bulbs 5–6 inches deep in fall; mulch May need staking for support *In the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is native to DC, common in DE, reported mostly in MD’s Coastal Plain and in the western mountains, and found in most PA counties. In VA, it is infrequent to locally frequent in the mountains and widespread but infrequent in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. In NoVA, it is not reported in Arlington County. Mass in low spots, rain gardens, by pond edges Hardiness: USDA Zones 5a–8b developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
 for the Mid-Atlantic

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Lilium superbum (Turk’s-cap Lily)

The tallest and showiest of the native lilies, Turk’s-cap frequents wet meadows and moist woods primarily in the Mid-Atlantic Region.* A single plant can bear up to 40 individual flowers, which are noted for their stunning color, reflexed tepals, and prominent stamens.

*In the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is native to DC, common in DE, reported mostly in MD’s Coastal Plain and in the western mountains, and found in most PA counties. In VA, it is infrequent to locally frequent in the mountains and widespread but infrequent in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. In NoVA, it is not reported in Arlington County. You can view the VA counties in which it has been reported here.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets