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Prairie Lily

Lilium philadelphicum

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Category
Forb / Wildflower
Sun
Full to Partial
Soil moisture
Medium-Wet to Medium-Dry
Bloom time
Jul–Aug
Bloom color
Orange

About Prairie Lily

Prairie Lily, also known as Wood Lily, is a striking gem of the wild, featuring upright, cup-shaped flowers in shades of brilliant orange-red with dark spots. Unlike many other lilies that have nodding blooms, the Prairie Lily holds its blossoms skyward, making its vibrant interior fully visible to pollinators. This herbaceous perennial typically grows 1 to 3 feet tall and is found in a variety of habitats, from sun-drenched prairies to open, rocky woodlands. It prefers medium-wet to medium-dry soils and can tolerate a range of light conditions from full sun to partial shade. The flowers are a vital nectar source for swallowtail butterflies and other large insects. Because it can be sensitive to competition, it is best planted in areas where its delicate beauty won't be overshadowed by more aggressive neighbors.

Native range

Native to 37 states:

AlabamaArkansasArizonaColoradoConnecticutD.C.DelawareGeorgiaIowaIllinoisIndianaKentuckyMassachusettsMarylandMaineMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMontanaNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNebraskaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkOhioPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasVirginiaVermontWisconsinWest VirginiaWyoming

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Lilium philadelphicum

Range map courtesy of BONAP (Biota of North America Program).

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