The Rubrum Lily is a charming flower famous for its elegant look, which it provides to the garden you grow in your home. It contains multiple colors such as pink, red, and many of its shades. It produces stunning tall, majestic stems and large and showy blooms. These blooms, known as “real” lilies, belong to the genus Lilium, as opposed to daylilies, which belong to the genus Hemerocallis.
These are loved by many gardeners all over the world. You can see their various varieties and their different shades in the market and can grow them as well. These are a great choice for people looking for a large number of fragrant blooms late in the season. Several species of them are used to make perfumes and have high demand.
What is a Rubrum lily?
You will know that this plant is hardy in USDA zones 5-7. This produces clusters of pink blooms and also has darker pink markings in it. These flowers grow in a peculiar downward-facing habit. They are sometimes mistaken for Stargazer lilies.
You will be amazed to know that they are late bloomers. They are stunning and add aesthetic interest to the end-of-summer garden. They grow up to 5 feet when they mature. They give a great look in the back of borders and/or in stunning mass plantings.
| TYPE | Oriental |
| SUB TYPE | Oriental, species, wildflower |
| ZONES | 5a-7b(9bWC) |
| HEIGHT | 4-5’ |
| BLOOM SEASONS | late summer |
| LIGHT | full sun, half sun |
| Foliage color | Green |
| Flower color | Red |
| Subspecies | Rubrum |
| Common name | Lilium Speciosum Rubrum |
FEW MORE TYPES OF LILIES –
- Asiatic lilies
- Trumpet lilies.
- Tiger lilies.
- Oriental lilies.
- Martagons.
Asiatic lilies
- This is the type of Asiatic lily that has a botanical name Lilium Asiatic hybrids.
- They are famous for their fragrance.
- They bloom in late spring or early summer.
- They prefer full sunlight.
- Asiatic lilies are toxic to cats and, to a lesser extent, dogs.
| Common Name: | Lily, Asiatic lily, Asiatic hybrid lily |
| Botanical Name: | Lilium Asiatic hybrids (formerly Lilium asiatica) |
| Family: | Liliaceae |
| Plant Type: | Perennial, Bulb |
| Mature Size: | 2-5 ft. tall |
| Sun Exposure: | Full, Partial |
| Soil Type: | Moist, Well-drained |
| Soil pH: | Acidic |
| Bloom Time: | Summer |
| Flower Color: | Pink, Red, Orange, Yellow, White, Purple |
| Hardiness Zones: | 4-8 (USDA) |
| Native Area: | Hybrid, no native range |
| Toxicity: | Toxic to cats and dogs |
Trumpet lilies.
This is another type of lily.
You can grow them during fall and spring in neutral soil.
This prefers fertile and well-drained soil.
They can grow up to 6 feet tall.
Feed your bulbs with a balanced fertilizer such as 5-10-10 or 10-10-10.
| Light | Full Sun, Partial Shade |
| Size | 16-18 cm bulb |
| Zone | 3-8 |
| Bloom Time | Midsummer |
| Height | 4 – 6 feet |
| Soil Requirement | Well drained |
Tiger lilies.
- Another type of lily is herbaceous perennial plant.
- They have strappy leaves and long flowering stems.
- They prefer slightly acidic and well-drained soil.
- The plant tolerates swings in temperature and humidity without fuss.
- The pollen is toxic to humans and the plant is toxic to cats but not dogs or horses.
| Common Name | Tiger lily |
| Botanical Name | Lilium lancifolium (also Lilium tigrinum) |
| Family | Liliaceae |
| Plant Type | Herbaceous, perennial |
| Mature Size | 3–5 ft. tall, 7–8 in. wide |
| Sun Exposure | Full, partial |
| Soil Type | Loamy, moist, well-draining |
| Soil pH | Acidic |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
| Flower Color | Orange, red, yellow, white, pink |
| Hardiness Zones | 3–9 (USDA) |
| Native Area | Asia |
| Toxicity | Toxic to cats, toxic to humans |
Oriental lilies:
- This type is known as a late bloomer.
- Growing oriental lily plants is fairly easy provided you have a well-prepared site for bulbs, plenty of sun, and good drainage.
- A well-drained is required.
- They want fertilizer for their best growth.
| Bloom Time | Summer |
| Mature Height | 24 – 36 inches |
| Hardiness Zones | 3 to 9 |
| Suitable Zones | zone 3 to zone 9 |
| Bulb Size | 14/16 cm |
| Plant Spacing | 6-9″ |
| Planting Depth | 4-6″ |
| Sunlight | Full Sun, partial shade |
| Package Contents | 8 Bulbs |
Martagons lilies:
- This type is known slow planting category because they grow slowly in their first year of planting.
- They grow up to 4 feet.
- They have a variety of colors and shades as well.
- They need fertilizers for growth.
| Hardiness zone | 3 to 9 |
| Heat zone | 1 to 7 |
| Climate zone | 1 to 10, 14 to 17 |
| Plant type | Bulb, perennials |
| Genus | Lilium |
| Exposure | Full sun, partial shade |
| Season of interest | Summer (early, mid) |
| Height | 2 to 6’ |
| Spread | 1 to 2’ |
| Spacing | 7” |
| Depth | 7” |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water needs | Average |
| Soil type | Loamy, sandy, chalk |
| Soil pH | Alkaline, natural |
| Attracts | Bees |
| Characteristics | Cut flowers and showy. |
How to grow Rubrum lilies?
To grow Rubrum lilies successfully, it’s crucial to start with high-quality bulbs. These lilies prefer well-draining soil and a location with full sunlight or partial shade. When planting, ensure the bulbs are positioned at least 6 inches deep and spaced about 8-12 inches apart. Regular watering is essential, especially during the growing season, but be careful not to overwater as this can lead to root rot.
You need to fertilize your Rubrum lilies every spring to promote healthy growth and vibrant blooms. As these flowers have a strong vertical growth habit, providing some support like stakes or cages can prevent them from bending or breaking in windy conditions.
Deadheading spent flowers and removing yellowing leaves will not only maintain the plant’s appearance but also encourage it to channel its energy into producing more blooms. You need to keep an eye out for pests such as aphids or mites that may target your Rubrum lilies.
Applying organic pest controls or introducing beneficial insects can help protect your plants without causing harm to the environment. With proper care and attention to detail, you’ll soon be rewarded with a stunning display of colorful Rubrum lily blossoms that will brighten up your garden throughout the summer months.
Their planting and care:
The planting and care of Rubrum lilies require attention to detail and a gentle touch. When you plant these vibrant flowers, ensure they are placed in well-draining soil with adequate sunlight. Water them regularly but avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. You need to add a layer of mulch around the base of the plant can help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
To care for Rubrum lilies effectively, it is essential to deadhead the fading blooms regularly. This not only promotes continuous blooming but also prevents the plant from redirecting energy into seed production.
You need to provide support for taller varieties to prevent them from toppling over in strong winds or heavy rain. By following these simple steps, you can ensure your Rubrum lilies thrive and provide a stunning display of color in your garden year after year.
Conclusion
The Rubrum Lily is a charming flower famous for its elegant look, which it provides to the garden you grow in your home. It contains multiple colors such as pink, red, and many of its shades. It produces stunning tall, majestic stems and large and showy blooms. These blooms, known as “real” lilies, belong to the genus Lilium, as opposed to daylilies, which belong to the genus Hemerocallis.
These are loved by many gardeners all over the world. You can see their various varieties and their different shades in the market and can grow them as well. These are a great choice for people looking for a large number of fragrant blooms late in the season. Several species of them are used to make perfumes and have high demand.
FAQs
How do you plant oriental lilies?
Plant in the spring in well-drained, compost-enriched soil. Work the soil to a depth of 12 inches to encourage sturdy root growth. Plant 3-4 bulbs per square foot at a depth of 6-8 inches – flat side of bulb down, pointy end up.
How to grow tiger lilies?
Tiger lilies like a semi-shady place. Plant these lilies in such a way that the flowers are in the sun but the roots are shaded by lower shrubs. Lilium lancifolium thrives in a loamy-sandy substrate with sufficient moisture and nutrients.
Is Belladonna lily poisonous?
The plant is toxic to pets, livestock and humans, so it should be handled carefully, especially around children and animals.