woodland wildflower

Wood Lily

Lilium philadelphicum

Native to much of the USA and southern Canada

Southern Quebec to southeastern British Columbia, south to North Carolina mountains, Nebraska and New Mexico mountains

In the garden

A woodland wildflower for sun through shade and lean, dry soil. At up to 4 ft, it suits shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 2–8.

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Find your zone:

Butterflies Monarch

also Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Pearl Crescent, Great Spangled Fritillary +8 more
Canadian Tiger Swallowtail, Pale Swallowtail, Coral Hairstreak, Midsummer Tiger Swallowtail, Acadian Hairstreak, Papilio glaucus glaucus, Clossiana toddi ammiralis, Edwards' Hairstreak
Beetles Lily Leaf Beetle

Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.

Habitat: WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: Much of the USA and southern CanadaUnited States (31): CO, CT, DC, DE, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, PA, RI, SD, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY. Canada (5): AB, MB, ON, QC, SK. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Southern Quebec to southeastern British Columbia, south to North Carolina mountains, Nebraska and New Mexico mountainsThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.

Light: Full sun to shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
Moisture: DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
Hardiness zones: USDA 2–8 · Canadian 1–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Well-drained, humus-rich soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Soil texture: Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
Soil pH: Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).

Height: up to 4 ft (to 1.2 m)Typical mature height.
Spread: ~1 ft (0.3 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).