The Tiger lily, Lilium-lancifolium, produces a stunning spectacle with its fiery bright orange flowers spotted with black dots across the petals.
The name ”Tiger” probably refers to its spots. According to various cultures in both Eastern and Western civilizations, orange symbolizes energy, balance and enthusiasm of man. Tiger lilies are native to northern and eastern Asia, but have spread rapidly to the United States and Canada.
There are two varieties of the Tiger Lily: 1. The oriental variety that is native to China, Korea and Japan. It propagates through bulbs that form at leaf axils. It is presented in Buddhism and other religions as a flower of mercy and compassion. In China, they are grown as an edible vegetable. The bulb when cooked is reminiscent of turnips. Also in China, the flower buds are eaten raw or cooked, although the pollen may be toxic; 2. The common wildflower variety propagates by tuberous roots. This beautiful “native” plant is sometimes called “red lily” and “ditch lily.” It has a huge range, being found in grasslands and sometimes in ditches in Canada and southward into our northern states.
Tiger lilies stand 3 to 4 feet tall and have large, freckled, pendulous blooms with curved petals. Tiger lilies are very hardy and will multiply to form large clumps over the years. They are happy almost anywhere, producing a dozen or more flowers on each stem. Colors are typically in the warm range, from golden yellow through orange and into reds. These beautiful flowers can make a statement in the home garden.
