Tiger flower (Lilium lancifolium or L. tigrinum) is a herbaceous perennial plant that grows from bulbs. Lilies have striped leaves and long stems that produce many flowers. Plant the bulbs in the fall or spring and the flowers bloom in mid to late summer. The orange petals are curved and speckled with black spots.
Source: NOLONOLOKO
Taking care of Tiger Lily
In the official taxonomy of garden lilies, lilies are classified in Division 9, 3 which includes other purebred species. However, L. lancifolium has long been cultivated for its edible tubers and is probably the result of centuries of crossbreeding rather than a naturally occurring species.
Native to Asia, tiger lily can be grown in USDA growing zones 3 through 9. Because of their hardy nature, they have become wild plants throughout much of New England in the United States and often seen along the roads. The bulbs will return year after year without much effort, and they will likely spread out in clumps. You can also grow these flowers in cut gardens or containers.
It is important that you plant your lilies in a location with good drainage, as waterlogged areas can rot the bulbs4. Then, for the first few years, water your lilies regularly until their root systems have matured. Then they can tolerate some drought better and are a fairly low maintenance plant.
Foliage on the lower part of the stem will wither first (in late summer). These yellow leaves will not be noticeable if the plant is growing in the back row of the garden bed. When all the leaves have turned yellow in late fall, cut the stalks to the ground and discard them.
Light
Tiger lily likes to grow in a sunny place. However, these hardy specimens are not nearly as fussy about growing conditions as many other flowering plants. They will tolerate partial shade and can really benefit from the midday heat.
Soil
To make sure the soil drains properly for the bulb, you may need to amend the soil with compost or mulch. Mixing peat moss, sand or straw into beds are also options to improve drainage and retain proper moisture. On the other hand, lilies can tolerate a wide variety of soils, although they prefer fairly fertile and slightly acidic soils.
Drinking water
Lilies have medium water needs. Mature plants can tolerate some drought, but they still prefer consistent watering. If your area receives regular rainfall, that should be enough to keep them happy. If the soil is very dry, you may need to water it frequently.
Temperature and humidity
Lilies begin to grow in the spring after the last frost and are dormant in the fall and winter. If you live in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 8, temperature shouldn’t be an issue. Tubers can survive freezing temperatures in the ground, but they will benefit from a few inches of mulch over the planting site for insulation.
The tiger lily grows well in both wet and arid environments, provided that the soil is properly moist. They tolerate hot summer days if the bulbs are planted deep enough to stay cool. It’s a good idea to plant lower perennials or annuals near or around lilies to protect their roots from drying out in hot weather.
Fertilizer
Lilies don’t need much fertilizer. A layer of compost around the base of the plants once or twice a year will provide all the nutrients they require. Apply mulch in late spring to keep roots cool during summer. If you want to encourage more flowering, you can use a 5-10-5 fertilizer. When growing these plants in alkaline soil, an acidic fertilizer can be beneficial.
Types of Tiger Lily
The familiar orange tiger lily is a pure species with no known cultivar. However, L. lancifolium has been crossed with other species to produce red, white and yellow versions. These are usually unnamed varieties, but they all have the characteristic black or brown spots on the petals that curve backwards. These two traits are not found together in any other lily.
