Known since 1568, this herbaceous perennial is a native of Europe and Asia. It is a member of the Liliaceae plant family that also includes tulips, fritillaries, and Quamash. Plants grow 3-4′ tall from a bulb and have whorls of lance-shaped leaves up to 6″ long. In summer, the top half of the stem produces up to 50 flowers that are white to pink, sometimes with maroon spots, very fragrant and attractive to butterflies and other pollinators. Each flower is 2-3″ across and has 6 recurved petaloid tepals. Plants resent being moved and may sulk for the first year. The genus name, Lilium is the Latin name for lilies. The specific epithet, martagon, may come from Ottoman Turkish word mārtağān, a special kind of turban adopted by Sultan Muhammed, and refers to the appearance of the flowers.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Type: Herbaceous perennial bulb
Bloom: Pink to white sometimes with maroon spots; in early to late summer
Size: 3-4′ H
Light: Full sun to partial shade; partial shade produces taller plants and more blooms
Soil: Rich, consistently moist, well-drained, slightly alkaline
USDA Hardiness: Zones 3-7
Care: Cut back when foliage yellows
Pests and Diseases: None of significance
Propagation: Division of bulblets
Companion Plants: Astilbe, lady’s mantle, delphinium, mophead bigleaf hydrangea
Outstanding Selection: ‘Alba’ (white flowers)
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Karen