Gloriosa Lily

Gloriosa Lily
Gloriosa superba
Height: 6 feet
Spread: 24 inches
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 8b
Other Names: Flame Lily, Glory Lily, Tiger Claw, Fire Lily
Description:
This variety is a tropical vine that climbs by tendrils in the leaf tips;
dazzling yellow and orange-red lily-like flowers emerge from summer to
fall; best in moderate climates with cool nights; a great container plant
Ornamental Features:
Gloriosa Lily features showy yellow flowers with orange overtones and
red streaks along the stems from early to late summer. It has dark green
foliage throughout the season. The pointy leaves do not develop any
appreciable fall colour. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
Gloriosa superba flowers
Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder
Landscape Attributes:
Gloriosa Lily is a multi-stemmed deciduous vine with a twining and
trailing habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but
can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an
effective composition.
This vine will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should
be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It is a good choice for
attracting bees and butterflies to your yard. It has no significant negative
characteristics.
Gloriosa Lily is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- General Garden Use
- Accent
- Hedges/Screening
- Container Planting
Gloriosa superba in bloom
Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder
Plant Characteristics:
Gloriosa Lily will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. As a climbing vine, it
tends to be leggy near the base and should be underplanted with low-growing facer plants. It should be
planted near a fence, trellis or other landscape structure where it can be trained to grow upwards on it, or
allowed to trail off a retaining wall or slope. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be
expected to live for approximately 10 years.
This vine does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and
shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban
pollution. This plant can be propagated by multiplication of the underground bulbs.
This species is not originally from North America.