Tiger lily is a term used loosely for several species, varieties and hybrids of lilies – although this is erroneous.
In 1810, the tiger lily was given the Latin name Lilium tigrinum by the English botanist J. B. Ker Gawler.
However, a few years earlier (in 1793), the Swedish botanist C. P. Thunberg named the tiger lily Lilium lancifolium – and this is still the correct name today. It is therefore only the lily species L. lancifolium (the true tiger lily if you will) that is the focus of this article.
Cultivation and care
Tiger lilies are propagated by brood bulbs (also called brood buds or bulbils), which grow at the corners of the leaves (in the angle between the leaf and the stem).
When growing, the bulbs should be removed from the plant around late summer. Then one of the following methods can be used:
- Immediately after harvesting, the onions can be planted directly in moist soil. It is important to retain the moisture (the soil must not dry out and should therefore not be left in the sun).
- The onions can be placed in pots, boxes or similar with moist soil and grow here. After a few years they will typically be able to flower
- The bulbs can be placed in a plastic bag with moist soil or moss in which they form roots. Then place the bulbs in pots, boxes or similar.
In general, tiger lily bulbs should be planted in late summer or early fall (August or September are typically the best months).
The bulbs should be placed about 10-20 cm underground depending on the size (the larger the bulb, the deeper it should be placed). The distance between the bulbs should be around 20 cm. You can also place a little drainage gravel under the bulbs.
Flowering tiger lilies should be in full sun.
Soil conditions
Tiger lilies grow best in moist soil. In nature, they therefore typically grow around ditches. Fertilizer is only necessary if the soil is very poor in nutrients.
Characteristics of the tiger lily
- Stems are 80-200 cm long and leaves are 6-10 cm long and 1-2 cm wide
- The flowers are brownish, reddish or orange and have black spots or dots. They have a strong, sweet and exquisite “lily scent”
- The tiger lily's special bulbs (bulbils – see image to the right) are only found in a few lily species (e.g. also in L. bulbiferum [fire lily/safron lily] which is sometimes also called tiger lily). The bulbs are edible and are used in Asian cooking, among other things. Besides the bulbs, the roots and flower shoots are also edible
- According to some experts and gardening enthusiasts, the tiger lily is supposedly the lily species most resistant to disease. Due to its tenacious nature, it could also pose a threat to other lilies. In addition, some believe that tiger lilies can “carry” diseases (i.e. be infected without being sick) and thus potentially infect other lilies. All of these factors lead some gardeners to recommend growing tiger lilies in isolation from other lilies
- Even though tiger lilies are supposed to be disease resistant, they are sometimes attacked by slugs or lily beetles. To avoid this, you can grow tiger lilies in a raised bed, for example
Species
Some of the subspecies of the tiger lily include:
- Flaviflorum
- flore pleno
- fortunei
- splendens
Geographical distribution
The tiger lily originates from northern and northeastern Asia, which includes Japan, China, Korea and Guam. Today, however, tiger lilies grow wild on several continents.
Medicinal uses
Although there are no scientific studies to support the tiger lily's healing properties or beneficial effects on the human body, many people believe that the tiger lily can cure diseases, reduce symptoms, etc.
The effects of tiger lily are said to help everything from gastroenterological problems such as stomach cramps, nausea and digestive problems to cardiovascular diseases and emotional problems.
Of course, it is recommended that you take this information with a grain of salt and always consult your doctor before taking any kind of herbal medicine.
History and religion
The first mention of the tiger lily in world history is in Chinese writings dating back to the 10th century. They explain how the tiger lily is planted in rows as a crop.
In the Western world, the history of the tiger lily is as follows:
- Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus mentions the tiger lily for the first time in 1753. Carl Peter Thunberg, who is considered Linnaeus' best student, names the tiger lily Lilium tigrinum in 1793.
- Scottish gardener and plant hunter William Kerr brings the tiger lily from China to Great Britain in 1804.
- In 1810, English gardener J. B. Ker Gawler named the tiger lily Lilium tigrinum, which is sometimes also used for the tiger lily today (although L. lancifolium is the correct name)
In addition, there is an old Asian legend about the tiger lily: a Korean hermit helped a wounded tiger by removing an arrow from its body. The tiger asked the hermit to use his powers to perpetuate their friendship after its death. The hermit agreed and when the tiger died, its body became a tiger lily. The hermit then drowned and his body was washed away. The tiger lily then spread everywhere in search of its friend.
In some cultures, tiger lilies also have a superstitious reputation for giving people freckles. In addition, the tiger lily has a symbolic value in some places, representing wealth and prosperity.