Photo of Lilium pardalinum flower by The Watershed Nursery

Photo by The Watershed Nursery

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Lilium pardalinum

Also Known As

  • Lilium pardalinum ssp. pardalinum
  • Leopard Lily
  • Leopard Lily

Plant type

bulb / corm / tuber

size

  • H: 3'-4'
  • W: 12"-18"

planting zones

  • 5a-9b

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Lilium pardalinum plant details

Lilium pardalinum is a broadleaf deciduous bulb / corm / tuber with green foliage. In spring and summer burgundy, orange and red flowers emerge. Attracts bees and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - shade and even moisture - occasional water. Does well in average, clay, gritty and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Lilium pardalinum

Plant type: bulb / corm / tuber
Plant family: liliaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 12 IN - 18 IN - wide, 3 FT - 4 FT - tall
Flowers: burgundy, orange and red blooms in spring and summer

GROWING CONDITIONS for Lilium pardalinum

USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - occasional
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, clay, gritty and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Lilium pardalinum is a robust lily forming a clump of erect stems bearing whorled leaves and several nodding, dark-spotted, orange-red and orange flowers 9cm across, shading to yellow at the centre. A western North American native.
This is the only native California lily that thrives anywhere it's not too hot. With brilliant orange-red petals that are splashed with gold and leopard-spotted, it was first brought into gardens in the Gold Rush era. In 1939 expert George Slate praised it as "not particular as to soil, easily established, handsome and graceful." Amen! 4-6 feet, zones 5a-7bS(9WC)
Blooms: summer, red-orange w/ yellow & dark red spotted/ deciduous, stunning Zone 4-9. 3'-5', PNW, part shade-sun, moist, well drained
This towering member of the lily family is very elegant, and pleasing to the eye. This deciduous perennial has 3-7' tall stalks bear up to 30 pendant blossoms in late spring or summer. The blooms, typically orange at the base and scarlet at the tips are flecked with maroon. Plant with ferns, coral bells, western azaleas, or any other moisture loving shrubs. Also great under the high shade of sycamores or alders. Usually flowering in July. Endemic to California Lilium pardalinum is a nectar plant for large butterflies such as the two-tailed tiger swallowtail, monarch and admirals. Bulbs cooked in earth oven and used for food. Found in stream banks. Communities located in North Coastal Coniferous Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-riparian Between 0 and 6562 feet.

Gardening facts about Lilium pardalinum plant

How to Grow Lilium pardalinum

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - occasional
  • Soil Needs

    • clay
    • average
    • well-drained
    • gritty
  • Special Situation

    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • red
    • orange
    • burgundy
  • Wildlife

    • bees
    • butterflies
  • Flower Season

    • spring
    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous

Landscape groups by tags

See other plant types of Lilium for your garden

aka Madonna Lily

Plant Type

Bulb / Corm / Tuber

Zones

6a-8b

Size

Height: 3'-6'

Width: 8"

  • sun - mostly shade
  • even moisture
Photo of Lilium candidum flower by Karl Gercens III
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aka Humboldt's Lily

Plant Type

Bulb / Corm / Tuber

Zones

5a-10b

Size

Height: 36"-72'

Width: 8"-16"

  • sun - mostly shade
  • even moisture - drought tolerant
Photo of Lilium humboldtii close-up, flower by Stan Shebs
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aka Lilium pardalinum [prolific JSM], Leopard Lily

Plant Type

Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber, Aquatic

Zones

7a-10b

Size

Height: 6'-9'

Width: 2'

  • sun - mostly shade
  • even moisture - drought tolerant
Photo of Lilium aff. pardalinum [prolific JSM] flower by James Steakley
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aka Bolander's Lily

Plant Type

Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

Zones

7a-11

Size

Height: 24"-48"

Width: 12"

  • mostly sun - mostly shade
  • even moisture - drought tolerant
Photo of Lilium bolanderi flower by Cistus Nursery
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aka Dwarf Formosa Lily

Plant Type

Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

Zones

5a-9a

Size

Height: 12"-24"

Width: 6"-12"

  • sun - dappled shade
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Lilium formosanum var. pricei flower by Thorkild Poulsen
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More Options

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