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Meqwon Lilies

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Lilium martagon with recurved petals and speckled blooms

Species

Lilium martagon

Martagon lily

A long-lived woodland lily with whorled leaves and turks-cap blooms that thrive in cool, dappled shade.

Section MartagonEarly summer

Quick facts

Native range
Europe and northern Asia
Height
60 to 150 cm
Bloom time
Early to mid summer
Flower form
Turks-cap, nodding
Color
Pink to purple, spotted; occasional white forms
Fragrance
Sweet, especially evenings
Leaf arrangement
Whorled leaves in tiers

Growing notes

LightPart shade to full sun in cool climates

SoilHumus-rich, well-drained; prefers lime

MoistureEven moisture, cool roots

Soil pHNeutral to alkaline

Propagation

  • Seed (slow, may take years to flower).
  • Bulb scaling or offsets when available.

Field notes

  • Slow to establish but very long-lived once settled.
  • Dislikes disturbance; plant where it can remain for years.

Identification cues

  • Whorled leaf tiers on tall, slender stems.
  • Turks-cap flowers with strongly recurved tepals.
  • Speckled blooms that open in a vertical sequence.

Pests and safety

Common pests

  • Lily leaf beetle
  • Botrytis in wet summers

Highly toxic to cats; keep all plant parts away.

Image credits

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