It is one of the most beautiful lilies native to Europe. The Turk's cap lily develops aesthetic flowers and reaches stately heights. In order for it to flower, certain site conditions must be met. Only with the right care do Turk's cap lilies develop into magnificent specimens.

The Turk's cap lily is at home in Europe

Table of Contents

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  1. origin
  2. growth
  3. leaves
  4. blossom
  5. heyday
  6. fruit
  7. use
  8. Is Turk's cap lily poisonous?
  9. Which location is suitable?
  10. What soil does the plant need?
  11. Multiply Turk's cap lily
  12. sowing
  13. What is the best planting time?
  14. The right planting distance
  15. Turk's cap lily in a pot
  16. Water the Turk's cap lily
  17. Fertilize the Turk's cap lily properly
  18. Cut the Turk's cap lily correctly
  19. hardy
  20. pests
  21. fungus
  22. Turk's cap lily does not bloom
  23. sorts

    24. origin

    The Turk's Cap Lily, or Turk's Cap Lily for short, is known among botanists as Lilium martagon. It belongs to the lily family and occurs naturally in Europe and Asia. Their range extends from Portugal to Siberia, across the Balkans to the Caucasus. In northern Europe, the Turk's cap lily is considered naturalized.

    The lily plant grows in calcareous 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 rarer the species occurs naturally. 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 tall. 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 deep enough in the ground. The above-ground part of the plant is supported by a strong stem, which is often spotted red.

    leaves

    The lower part of the stem 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 come to the inflorescence, the more they are alternate on the stem. The upper leaf blades are smaller than the lower stem leaves. The largest leaves can grow up to 15 centimeters long. The foliage is smooth-edged and glossy on the surface.

    blossom

    The lily plant develops panicle-shaped inflorescences that carry up to 16 large, nodding individual flowers. The sunnier the location, the more flowers the Turk's cap lily develops. They are hermaphroditic and follow a threefold structure. The flowers are made up of six similarly shaped bracts that curve outward and meet at the tips. This flower shape is reminiscent of a turban, which led to the scientific species name "martagon".

    heyday

    The Turk's Cap flowers between June and August. Then the plant exudes an intense scent reminiscent of cinnamon. The flowers shine in flesh pink tones. Sometimes they are bathed in a dull violet or a light brown-red. The bracts are dark dotted, speckled or mottled. The shape and size of the pattern is variable. Wild species rarely develop pure white flowers. There are now numerous varieties that flower in different colors.

    fruit

    Turk's cap lilies develop capsule fruits from September, which contain up to 100 seeds in their three compartments. The capsules act as wind spreaders. They spread their seeds when the stems are moved in the wind. The tiny grains are winged and can therefore cover long distances. They belong to the dark germs.

    use

    As a native species, the Turk's cap 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-snouted moths such as the pigeon tail. The lily plant adorns light to shady woody plantations as an underplanting. It adorns tall herb corridors and is particularly effective in alpine themed gardens.

    Other types for an alpine flower meadow:

    • Globeflower (Trollius europaeus)
    • Alpine lettuce (Cicerbita alpina)
    • Brook avens (Geum rivale)
    • Alpine columbine (Aquilegia alpina)

    Is Turk's cap lily poisonous?

    For adults, there is usually no danger from the Turk's cap lilies. Onions and flowers have been used as a food ingredient or for the preparation of ointments and teas for thousands of years. 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 not yet known. As a cat or dog owner, you should refrain from cultivation as a precaution. Small children should also be kept away from the tempting plants.

    Which location is suitable?

    Turk's cap lilies prefer a partially shaded location in a cool location. In the lowlands, the perennial thrives in the undergrowth of taller trees. Its strong leaves allow it to grow in very shady conditions. In higher mountainous areas, the plant grows in open meadows above the tree line.

    Natural Habitats:

    • sun-drenched mountain meadows
    • tall herb corridors
    • shady woods
    • herbaceous 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 seep-fresh conditions. As mulch soil plants, they depend on a layer of humus. Moderately deep clay and loam soils ensure good growing conditions. The substrate may be rich in bases, but also moderately acidic.

    Multiply Turk's cap lily

    Turk's cap lilies are propagated vegetatively via rhizome scales or corms. Spring bulbs develop in the leaf axils of a mature plant. These are picked in late summer and planted directly in the garden soil. You can also separate daughter bulbs from the main bulb. In the next two to three years the young plants will develop into a stately lily if there is sufficient water supply.

    This is how rhizome scales are propagated:

    • Separate the skins, each containing a bud, from the onion
    • put each peel piece in a saucepan
    • Fill the container with a mixture of peat, sand and compost
    • put in a warm and bright place
    • Keep substrate slightly moist

    sowing

    Scatter seeds on 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 seed develop flowers after two to four years, which is why this form of propagation seems less attractive.

    What is the best planting time?

    The bulbs of the Turk's cap lilies can be placed in the bed in late autumn or in spring. Before planting, loosen up the later growth site thoroughly and put 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 up and covered with soil.

    The right planting distance

    Use the maximum growth width as a basis for the distance to the next plant. The varieties expand at different rates. Place the plants so that their distance from each other corresponds to half their growth width.

    Turk's cap lily in a pot

    Turk's cap lilies thrive in pots that are deep enough. Use a large zinc tub as a planter. Here you can create a natural bed in miniature. Before planting, the bottom of the tub must be equipped with drainage holes. Use a metal drill or hammer several holes in the material with thick nails. If you do not have a suitable tool, you can cover the bottom with a thick layer of gravel.

    Water the Turk's cap lily

    During the vegetation phase, the Turk's cap lily must not dry out. If there has been no rain for several weeks, you should regularly water the can. Young plants in particular need a lot of water. Established specimens are able to draw water from the lower soil layers thanks to their deep roots. The water requirement is significantly higher for potted plants.

    Fertilize the Turk's cap lily properly

    From spring onwards, the Turks' League will be able to enjoy a start-up aid in the form of a special fertilizer for bulb plants. Alternatively, you can mix some compost under the substrate. The nutrient supply is repeated every two weeks.

    Cut the Turk's cap lily correctly

    In the near-natural garden, the Turk's cap 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 the propagation, the inflorescences are cut back to the ground after they have faded. Wait until all the leaves have completely withered before pruning. The lily draws excess energy from the leaves to store it in the bulb.

    hardy

    The bulbs overwinter in the bed without any problems. If the winters are particularly severe, you can spread a thick layer of leaves or straw over the substrate. Onions in the bucket must be protected, as the substrate freezes faster and the rhizome is damaged. Place the jar against a south wall and wrap it in foil. A block of wood under the bucket is recommended as protection against ground frost.

    pests

    The lily beetle is one of the leaf beetles that occasionally infest the leaves of the martagon lily. The plant pest lays its eggs on the underside of the leaves. When the larvae hatch, they feed on the leaf matter. Regular spraying with tansy tea is recommended as a control measure. Remove the bugs to stop them laying more eggs. You can wipe the underside of the leaves with a cloth to get rid of the bright orange eggs.

    fungus

    Turk's cap lilies are attacked by gray mold, especially 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 on the plants, has proven to be a further preventive measure.

    Turk's cap lily does not bloom

    If the Turk's cap lily only blooms sparsely or not at all, a lack of light can be the cause. Although the plants will thrive in very shady conditions, they require light to develop buds.

    tips

    Do not plant onions on the same day, but several days apart. The plants will open their buds one at a time.

    sorts

    • Terrace City': Orange-yellow flowers with dark spots. Flowering time between June and July. Grows between 100 and 150 centimeters high.
    • Cranberry Dancers: Flowers burgundy with black dots edged with orange. Growth height between 100 and 150 centimeters.
    • Terry: Purple flower coloration with white spots and dark spots. Between 100 and 150 centimeters high.

Category:

Vegetable garden