Lilium Regale

Plant of the Week

BY: Elyse Lucas

Lilies are some of the loveliest flowers to grace a garden. Their vibrant beauty and bright blooms stop you in your tracks. Regal lily (Lilium regale) is no exception. Appreciated for its intense fragrance, regal lily blooms in late summer on arching or upright stems blanketed with glossy grayish-green leaves. Its large, white, trumpet-shaped flowers bloom in clusters of up to 25 at a time. Violet streaks on the backs of petals and golden throats inside add even more flair to these royal beauties.

Common name: Regal lily
Botanical name: Lilium regale
Plant type: Bulb
Zones: 4 to 7
Height: 2 to 6 feet
Family: Liliaceae

Growing conditions
• Sun: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Fertile, well-drained, amended with compost
• Moisture: Medium

Care
• Mulch: Mulch to preserve moisture in the soil and prevent weeds.
• Pruning: None needed.
• Fertilizer: None needed.

Propagation
• By seed or division of bulblets

Pests and diseases
• No major insect or disease problems, although aphids, viruses, or fungal diseases may occur.
• Rodents might eat the bulbs, and deer and rabbits like to munch on buds, leaves, and flowers.

Garden notes
• Regal lily looks great in large containers. Provide sturdy stakes and combine with medium-height annuals that will help support the tall, slender lily stem.
• Group regal lily in masses as part of a perennial border.
• Plant difference species of lilies in the same bed, so you’ll have nonstop blooms all season.
• Plant perennials near L. regale to provide continued color after the lily flowers.
• Add mulch in the fall to prevent heaving from early winter thaws.

All in the family
• The lily family (Liliaceae) is thought to have evolved about 58 million years ago.
• Plants in the lily family have linear leaves and flowers arranged in threes.
• Many species of lily are poisonous to animals and can make household pets sick.

Where to buy
• Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, Richmond, CA, 800-819-5913, www.anniesannuals.com
• Forestfarm, Williams, OR, 541-846-7269, www.forestfarm.com
• Old House Gardens, Ann Arbor, MI, 734-995-1486, www.oldhousegardens.com

(Text by Elyse Lucas, photo courtesy of Kemper Center for Home Gardening at the Missouri Botanical Garden)

Comments

By patrose3 Tuesday, August 23, 2011 11:18 AM

Lilies make great perennials too -check out my blog for more www.marlborobulb.com/

By NHGCHOW Tuesday, August 23, 2011 4:21 PM

I have two of these lilies in my garden. They have just burst into bloom in the last few days. Their fragrance is wonderful from more than 10 ft. away.

By jwilliams63 Thursday, September 22, 2011 11:16 AM

This is my favorite flower. Can't wait to add this to my beginnings of a garden.

By willbob Tuesday, October 18, 2011 8:18 PM

Please help, I have Calla Lilies that does not bloom. I moved they in
october, they are looking beautiful now and need info for the spring
growing season.

By patrose3 Monday, October 24, 2011 12:01 PM

Calla Lilies are not actual lilies at all they are part of the group called Zantedeschia Do you have the hardy white variety or the more tender colored callas? The big white one is the easiest to grow. Here in south carolina -upstate zone 7/7b it is hardy and loves morning sun and afternoon shade. It blooms in the late spring and has big glossy green leaves then dies down in the summer and comes back in the cooler nights of fall. You can call us at Marlboro Bulb on 1-800-999-0567 if you want to talk about this some more. You may need to mulch in the winter and use a slow release fertilizer after the leaves are up in the spring