TL
Family
Liliaceae
Botanical Name
Lilium columbianum
Plant Common Name
Columbia Lily, Columbia Tiger Lily, Oregon Lily
General Description
This spotted tiger lily is a western perennial wildflower that’s well adapted to garden cultivation. It is a native bulb naturally occurring from British Columbia down to northern California. It inhabits a wide range of environments including moist conifer forests, thickets and meadows.
In mid to late summer the dainty plants bloom heavily with up to thirty blossoms on mature specimens. The nodding golden orange flowers have black spots and petals that dramatically curve backwards. After flowering, they offer little ornamentally, but do not cut them back until they naturally turn yellow. Otherwise they may not store enough energy for next year’s flower show. Plants set seed and go dormant early during the dry fall and reappear in midwinter when the western rains come and vegetative growth begins.
Full to partial sun and rich, well-drained, evenly moist soil are ideal for these lilies. It is best to plant them when dormant. They appreciate a summer mulch of leaves or grass to keep the bulbs cool and use them in naturalistic or woodland gardens. Obtain them from nursery-grown stock -— wild collected plants deplete natural populations.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 9
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Sunset Zone
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19
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Plant Type
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
5'-6' / 1.5m - 1.8m
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Width
1'-2' / 0.3m - 0.6m
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer
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Native To
Western United States, California, Canada
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Orange, Gold, Black
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Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Yellow Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
