Lilium formosanum
Best elegant blooms for enthusiastic home gardeners.
This hardy perennial lily variety offers a stunning display of fragrant white blooms that appear in summer, gracing your garden in the very first year from seed. It's an excellent choice for adding beauty to borders, creating a charming cottage garden feel, or for cutting to bring indoors. Reaching a mature height of 48-72 inches, these plants thrive in locations with full sun to partial shade. Please note, these seeds and plants are intended for ornamental use only and are poisonous.
$5.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
4826
/ 6537
#4826 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-41%
Below average
Type
Hardy Perennial
/ Hardy Perennial
Who it's for
- Gardeners eager for quick floral rewards
- Homeowners desiring a fragrant garden experience
- Eco-conscious gardeners supporting local wildlife
Who should skip it
- Gardeners seeking long-term perennial garden staples
- Gardeners in mild climates concerned about plant spread
- Gardeners preferring low-maintenance, self-supporting plants
Performance breakdown
First-year bloom potential
Rare for lilies, this variety reliably flowers within its first season.
Climate adaptability
Broad hardiness range makes it a versatile choice for most gardeners.
Visual impact
Towering height and fragrant white blooms create an immediate focal point.
Germination patience
Extended germination timeline requires significant patience from the home grower.
Garden versatility
Excellent for cutting gardens, though its height limits container suitability.
Safety profile
High toxicity levels demand careful placement away from pets and children.
Key Specs
Type
Hardy Perennial
Hardiness Zones
4-10
Height
48-72 inches
Location
Sun or part shade
Seeds per packet
10
Germination
21-60 days (up to 90 days for some)
Plant Type
Flower
Edible
False
Know before you buy
Yes, unlike many other lily varieties that require a year or two to establish, Lilium formosanum is known for its ability to produce fragrant blooms within the first season after sowing.
No, these plants are poisonous if ingested. Please keep them in an area of your garden that is inaccessible to pets and children.
You can expect these plants to reach a mature height of 48 to 72 inches. Because they grow quite tall, they are best suited for the back of a garden border where they won't shade out smaller plants.
Germination is a bit of a slow process for this variety, typically taking between 21 and 60 days, though it can occasionally take up to 90 days. Patience is key when starting these from seed.
These lilies are not recommended for container gardening. They are best suited for direct planting in the ground where they can establish their root systems properly.
They are quite versatile and will thrive in either full sun or partial shade. If you live in an area with extremely hot summers, providing some afternoon shade can help protect the blooms.
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