Tiger Lily ‘Tigrinum Splendens’ is a striking, hardy perennial lily known for its tall stems and vividly colored, recurved flowers. The plant produces upright green stems lined with narrow, lance-shaped leaves, creating a vertical, architectural presence in the garden. In mid to late summer, it blooms with clusters of brilliant orange flowers heavily speckled with dark maroon or black spots. Each bloom curves strongly backward, giving the classic “turk’s cap” or tiger lily appearance. Small dark bulbils often form in the leaf axils along the stem, which can drop and produce new plants. Its bold color and naturalizing habit make it a popular choice for perennial borders and cottage gardens, particularly in colder climates.
- Size: Height: 90–150 cm (3–5 ft). Spread: 30–45 cm (12–18 in)
- Flowering: Mid to late summer
- Growth habit: Upright clumping perennial that slowly naturalizes through bulb division and bulbils
- Light: Full sun to partial shade; best flowering occurs with at least 6 hours of sun.
- Soil: Prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil; tolerates a range of garden soils if drainage is good.
- Water: Moderate watering; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged, especially during active growth.
- Hardiness: Extremely hardy (Zones 3–8), making it well suited for the Regina, SK climate.
- Planting depth: Bulbs should be planted about 10–15 cm (4–6 in) deep.
- Maintenance: Deadhead spent flowers to maintain appearance, but leave foliage until it dies back naturally to feed the bulb.
- Propagation: Easily propagated from bulbils that form along the stems or by dividing bulbs in fall.
- Support: Tall stems may benefit from staking in windy sites.