How to Grow and Care for Orange Lily (Lilium bulbiferum)

Orange lily (Lilium bulbiferum) is a herbaceous perennial that flowers from as early as May to July. Seeds ripen from August to September. Of the genus Lilum, this geophyte is also known as Fire Lily. This species is hermaphrodite, with both male and female organs. Leaves are simple and broad on this plant, which has a self-supporting growth form. The most typical form of this species forms bulbils on the stems. Showy trumpet-shaped blooms, good cut flowers, are pollinated by bees. Native to Europe, the orange lily is common to freshwater habitats and thrives in southern United States. Grow this deciduous plant as a fragrant ornamental in temperate climates such as USDA Zones 8 through 10. It is also occasionally grown in Zones 6 and 7 in temperate areas.

Orange Lily Care

White or pale yellow bulbs are 2 to 4 inches in diameter, sometimes tinged in red or purple. Plant bulbs 6 inches deep. Early to mid autumn is the best time to plant in cool, temperate locations, while in warmer areas they can be planted in late autumn. This is one of the easiest lilies to grow, both in the ground and in containers.

Light

Grow in dappled sun or light summer shade. Plant bulbs along a woodland garden sunny edge with its roots in the shade and its head in the sun.

Soil

Give orange lilies open, well-draining loamy soil that is rich in humus. Though they will also grow in normal garden soil and adapt to light sandy, heavy clay, or calcareous soils.

Water

This perennial has average watering needs. Water about one inch a week while plants are growing, but only if the soil feels dry as wet soil can rot lily bulbs, and too much water on the foliage and flowers can cause mildew or mold. Give potted lilies water until the excess drains from the pot.

Fertilizer

Feed orange lilies a low-nitrogen blooming fertilizer like 5-10-10 or 7-9-5. When a fertilizer is low in nitrogen, it will send more nutrition to the flowers and not too much to the leaves. Spread this fertilizer over the roots in spring, scratching in it into the soil. Water well.

Pruning

After the plant stops blooming in fall, prune old leaves.

Propagating

Gather bulbils in late summer as they begin to fall off stems and pot them in a greenhouse until they are big enough to be transplanted outdoors. Divide young bulbs once leaves have died when plants are dormant in autumn. Put 2 or 3 bulbs in one pot before transplanting them in the ground, or just plant them in the ground immediately. Also remove the bulb scales from the mother bulbs, and keep them in a warm dark place in a bag of moist peat until they produce bulbets.

Growing from Seed

Opinions on whether lily cultivars and hybrids can grow from seed vary. To try to grow orange lillies from seed, sow when they are ripe in a cold frame where they will likely germinate in spring. Seeds may also store in a warm/cold/warm stratification cycle, each period about 2 months long. Grow orange lily seeds in cool, shady conditions. Sow seeds thinly in a fertile medium.

Common Pests and Diseases

In early spring protect the plant from slugs, which might eat the shoot tip and prevent the lily from growing that year. Orange lily can also be susceptible to aphids.