It is one of the most beautiful lilies native to Europe. The Turkish lily develops aesthetic flowers and reaches impressive heights. In order for it to bloom, certain site conditions must be met. Only with the right care do Turkish lilies develop into magnificent specimens.
What conditions does the Turkish lily need to bloom?
The Turkish lily (Lilium martagon) is an attractive, native plant with aesthetic flowers and an impressive height. In order to bloom, it needs partially shaded locations, lime-rich, nutrient-rich soil as well as sufficient water and fertilization during the vegetation phase.
Origin
The Turk's-bundle lily, or Turk's-bundle for short, is known among botanists as Lilium martagon. It belongs to the lily family and occurs naturally in Europe and Asia. Their distribution area extends from Portugal to Siberia, across the Balkans to the Caucasus. In Northern Europe, the Turkish lily is considered naturalized.
The lily plant grows in limestone-rich mountain regions such as the southern Black Forest or the Alps. The plant reaches altitudes of up to 2,300 meters. The flatter the land becomes, the less common the species is of course. In Germany, Westphalia represents the northern limit of distribution.
Growth
Lilium martagon is a perennial and herbaceous plant that grows between 30 and 150 centimeters high. The lily plant develops an underground bulb that can reach up to eight centimeters in diameter. It is oval shaped and covered in yellow scales. With the help of numerous pulling roots, the plant ensures that its bulb is anchored sufficiently deeply in the ground. The above-ground part of the plant is supported by a strong stem that is often spotted red.
leaves
The lower stem area is densely leafed. In the middle the foliage appears in a whorled arrangement, while the position of the leaves changes upwards. The closer the leaves get to the inflorescence, the more alternate they are on the stem. The upper leaf blades are smaller than the lower stem leaves. The largest leaves can be up to 15 centimeters long. The foliage is smooth-edged and shiny on the surface.
Bloom
The lily plant develops panicle-shaped inflorescences that bear up to 16 large, nodding individual flowers. The sunnier the location, the more flowers the Turkish lily develops. They are hermaphrodite and follow a threefold structure. The flowers consist of six identically shaped bracts that curve outwards and meet at the tips. This flower shape is reminiscent of a turban, which led to the scientific species name “martagon”.
Flowering time
The Turk's League blooms between June and August. The plant then exudes an intense scent that is reminiscent of cinnamon. The flowers shine in flesh-pink tones. Some of them are dipped in a cloudy violet or a light brown-red. The flower bracts are darkly dotted, mottled or spotted. The shape and size of the pattern is variable. Wild species rarely develop pure white flowers. There are now numerous varieties that bloom in different colors.
Fruit
Turkish lilies develop capsule fruits from September onwards, which contain up to 100 seeds in their three compartments. The capsules act as wind scatterers. They spread their seeds when the stems are moved in the wind. The tiny grains are winged and can therefore travel long distances. They belong to the dark germs.
Usage
As a native species, the Turkish lily should not be missing in any natural garden. It provides a valuable source of nectar in butterfly meadows. Their scent, which is mainly emitted in the evening and at night, attracts numerous species of long-pronged butterflies such as the pigeontail. The lily plant adorns light to shady woody plants as an underplant. It decorates tall herbaceous corridors and is particularly effective in alpine themed gardens.
More species for an alpine flower meadow:
- Troll Flower (Trollius europaeus)
- Alpine milk lettuce (Cicerbita alpina)
- Bach avocado (Geum rivale)
- Alpine Columbine (Aquilegia alpina)
Is turkish lily poisonous?
Turkish lilies usually pose no danger to adults. Onions and flowers have been used for thousands of years as food ingredients or to prepare ointments and teas. However, the lily plant is suspected of having a toxic effect on the organism of cats. What exactly causes symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite and apathy is still unknown. As a cat or dog owner, you should avoid cultivation as a precaution. Small children should also be kept away from the tempting plants.
Which location is suitable?
Turkish lilies prefer a partially shaded location in a cool location. In the lowlands, the perennial thrives well in the undergrowth of taller trees. Its strong leaves allow it to grow in very shady conditions. In higher mountain areas, the plant grows in open meadows above the tree line.
Natural habitats:
- sunlit mountain meadows
- Hochstaudenfluren
- shady forests
- herb-rich coniferous and deciduous forests
What soil does the plant need?
Lilium martagon grows on calcareous substrates with a loose structure. The plants colonize nutrient-rich substrates that ensure fresh, seeping conditions. As mull soil plants, they rely on a layer of humus. Moderately deep clay and loamy soils ensure good growing conditions. The substrate may be rich in bases, but also moderately acidic.
Propagate Tuerkenbundlilie
Turk's-cuff lilies are propagated vegetatively via rhizome scales or breeding tubers. Bulbs develop in the leaf axils of a mature plant. These are picked in late summer and placed directly into the garden soil. You can also separate daughter bulbs from the main bulb. Over the next two to three years, with sufficient water supply, the young plants will develop into a stately lily.
This is how rhizome scales are propagated:
- Separate peels with one bud each from the bulb
- put each piece of peel in a pot
- Fill the container with a mixture of peat, sand and compost
- place in a warm and bright place
- Keep substrate slightly moist
Sowing
Sprinkle seeds onto a nutrient-poor substrate in a seed tray and cover the grains with soil about two millimeters thick. Place the container in a warm, shady place and keep the substrate evenly moist. The cotyledons develop underground. Only after several weeks do the first leaves appear above the substrate. Plants grown from seeds develop flowers after two to four years, which is why this form of propagation seems less attractive.
What is the best time to plant?
The bulbs of the Turkish lily can be planted in the bed in late autumn or spring. Before planting, loosen the future growth site thoroughly and add some compost under the substrate. The planting hole should be at least twice the size of the bulb. This is placed in the hole with the tip upwards and covered with soil.
The correct planting distance
The distance to the next plant should be based on the maximum growth width. The varieties expand to different extents. Place the plants so that their distance from each other corresponds to half of their growth width.
Turkish lily in a pot
Turkish lilies thrive in the pot if it is sufficiently deep. Use a large zinc tub as a planter. Here you can create a natural bed in miniature form. Before planting, the bottom of the tray must be equipped with drainage holes. To do this, use a metal drill or hammer several holes into the material with thick nails. If you don't have a suitable tool, you can cover the ground with a thick layer of gravel.
Water the Tuerkenbundlilie
The Turkish lily must not dry out during the vegetation phase. If there is no rain for several weeks, you should use the watering can regularly. Young plants in particular need a lot of water. Ingrown specimens are able to draw water from the lower layers of the soil thanks to their deep roots. The water requirement is significantly higher for potted plants.
Fertilize Tuerkenbundlilie properly
From spring onwards, the Turkish Association will be pleased to receive a start-up aid in the form of a special fertilizer for onion plants. Alternatively, you can mix some compost into the substrate. The nutrient supply is repeated every two weeks.
Cut the Tuerkenbundlilie correctly
In the natural garden, the Turkish lily is left to its own devices without any pruning measures. She scatters her seeds so that a magnificent carpet develops over the years. If you want to control propagation, the inflorescences are cut back to the ground after they have bloomed. Wait until all leaves have wilted completely before pruning. The lily draws excess energy from the leaves to store it in the bulb.
hardy
The onions overwinter in the bed without any problems. If winters are particularly harsh, you can spread a thick layer of leaves or straw on the substrate. Onions in the pot must be protected because the substrate freezes more quickly, damaging the rhizome. Place the container on a south wall and cover it with foil. A block of wood under the bucket is recommended to protect against ground frost.
Pests
The lily hen is one of the leaf beetles that occasionally attacks the leaves of the Turk's-cuff lily. The plant pest lays its eggs on the undersides of the leaves. When the larvae hatch, they feed on the leaf mass. As a control measure, regular spraying with tansy tea is recommended. Remove the beetles to prevent them from laying more eggs. You can use a cloth to wipe the undersides of the leaves to get rid of the bright orange eggs.
Fungal infestation
Turkish lilies are particularly affected by gray mold in wet locations with poor ventilation. The spores colonize leaves and flowers and leave a gray coating. When choosing a location, pay attention to windy conditions. Horsetail decoction, which is regularly sprayed onto the plants, has proven to be a further preventive measure.
Tuerkenbundlilie not blooming
If the Turkish lily blooms only sparsely or not at all, a lack of light may be the cause. Although the plants thrive in very shady conditions, they require light to develop flowers.
Tip
Do not plant onions on the same day, but several days apart. The plants will open their flowers one after the other.
Varieties
- Terrace City': Orange-yellow flowers with dark spots. Flowering time between June and July. Grows between 100 and 150 centimeters high.
- Cranberry Dancer: Flowers wine red with black dots surrounded by orange. Growth height between 100 and 150 centimeters.
- Terry: Violet flower color with white spots and dark dots. Between 100 and 150 centimeters high.
