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Lilium speciosum
Species; Oriental group
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Species; Oriental group
- Height × spread: 36–60 in (0.9–1.5 m) × 8–12 in (20–30 cm)
- Bloom window: August to September
- Color & flower form: White to pink, heavily spotted; recurved petals
- Fragrance: 3 strong
- USDA hardiness: zones 5 to 8
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown, native to Japan, Taiwan, and southeast China
- Cut‑flower notes: Harvest when first buds show color; typical lily vase life 9 to 14 days with preservative
- Pet safety: avoid
How it differs
- Later blooming than many lilies
- Requires acidic soil more than trumpet or Asiatic types
- Heavily spotted, recurved petals with a classic Oriental look
Strengths
- Strong fragrance and showy late display
- Reliable where soil is acidic and drains well
- Good late‑summer cut flower
Care in one minute
Full sun to part shade
Acidic to neutral, well‑drained, fertile soil
Even moisture during growth; avoid waterlogging
Deadhead; allow stems to ripen; mulch lightly in cold zones
Watch‑outs
- Weak growth and chlorosis on alkaline soils
- Botrytis leaf blight in wet weather
Best uses (tags)
Provenance note
Native to southern Japan, Taiwan, and southeast China; widely used in Oriental breeding.
References
- NC State Extension Plant Toolbox – Lilium speciosum
- RHS – Lilium speciosum var. rubrum
- Kew Science – Plants of the World Online – Lilium speciosum
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