The Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium) is a hardy perennial recognized for its vibrant, spotted orange blooms that appear in mid-to-late summer. Native to East Asia, this plant adds striking color and vertical interest to garden landscapes. Finding a healthy specimen requires knowing where to look and understanding the differences between purchasing methods. This guide outlines reliable avenues for acquiring this flower and details important quality and safety considerations before buying.
Primary Retail Sources for Tiger Lilies
Consumers have several options for sourcing Tiger Lilies, ranging from specialized vendors to general retailers. Specialty online bulb companies are often the best source for obtaining dormant bulbs, offering the greatest selection of specific varieties and guaranteed quality. These vendors typically ship bulbs in the fall or early spring, timed for optimal planting.
Local garden centers and nurseries offer an advantage by stocking potted, actively growing plants, allowing customers to inspect the foliage before purchase. These businesses may also carry regional varieties or offsets (bulbils) propagated locally. Big box stores also carry bulbs, particularly in early spring, but buyers should exercise caution regarding the quality and storage conditions of this stock.
Garden clubs and local plant exchanges represent another avenue, frequently trading or selling dormant bulbs or small offsets. While these sources can be economical, the buyer assumes a higher risk concerning the plant’s exact lineage or potential exposure to disease. Always verify the botanical name, Lilium lancifolium, to ensure you are getting the true species.
Purchasing Bulbs and Potted Plants
The choice between a dormant bulb and a potted plant depends on the planting season. Dormant bulbs are typically planted in the fall or very early spring, while potted plants can be introduced throughout the growing season. A healthy dormant bulb should feel firm, plump, and show no signs of mold, soft spots, or desiccation.
For optimal first-year growth, select bulbs with a circumference of at least 12 to 14 centimeters, as size correlates with stored energy for blooming. If purchasing a potted plant, look for healthy, deep green foliage without yellowing or brown spots, which indicate poor health or fungal issues.
The Tiger Lily is known as a symptomless carrier of the Lily Mosaic Virus (LMV), a condition that rarely harms the Tiger Lily itself but can be transmitted to other true lily species. It is prudent to purchase stock specifically certified as virus-free, particularly if you already cultivate other Lilium species. The Tiger Lily acts as a reservoir, and aphids can transfer the virus, causing stunted growth and distorted flowers in more susceptible lilies.
Safety Concerns Regarding Tiger Lilies
Before introducing Lilium lancifolium into a home environment, understand the plant’s toxicity profile, especially concerning domestic animals. Tiger Lilies, like all members of the Lilium genus, are extremely toxic to cats. Ingestion of any part of the plant—including the flowers, leaves, stem, or pollen—can lead to acute kidney failure in felines.
This toxicity is considered a veterinary emergency, requiring immediate medical intervention to improve the prognosis if ingestion is suspected. While dogs and humans may experience milder gastrointestinal upset, the risk to cats is disproportionately severe and often fatal without treatment. The substance responsible for the severe nephrotoxicity in cats has not yet been definitively identified.