Leopard Lily

It can be hard to tear your eyes away from the very unique and very beautiful Leopard Lily. This long-blooming wonder has flowers unlike anything else. Each bloom sits on top of wiry stems and has six bulbous-shaped petals that are light orange with evenly spaced flecks of dark reddish-orange, similar in appearance to a leopard’s spots. The flowers bloom during the early to mid-summer and transition into seed clusters by summer’s end. Long, strap-like matte foliage is a gray-green hue. Also known as Belamcanda chinensis or Iris domestica, this plant is not a lily but actually an iris. In addition to having striking good looks, the Leopard Lily is also very easy to maintain and tolerant of warm temperatures. Grow this clump-forming, upright plant in beds or borders, and be prepared for this stunner to become a focal point. You may want to plant the Leopard Lily in a container to display it in a visible spot when in bloom. Grow this beauty as a herbaceous perennial in USDA zones 5 through 8.Leopard Lily CareThis sun-loving plant can handle increased light levels and soaring summer temperatures. Soil can be slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, but it must be well-drained. Routinely water when the top few inches of soil are dry, but avoid consistently wet conditions because this plant does not like wet feet. Leopard Lily plants are not heavy feeders and do not require fertilization.This plant does not need to be pruned but remove the seed pods as soon as they appear if you do not want this stunner to self-seed. As a herbaceous perennial, all growth will die back after the first frost. You can trim the growth back after the flowers fade or wait until the frost, but remove the growth at the end of the growing season to reduce the chance of mold or mildew.Leopard Lily SpacingLeopard Lily is an upright plant that will reach 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. Plants can be spaced 2 to 3 feet apart. If allowed to self-seed, this plant will create an ongoing colony.Leopard Lily InformationUSDA Hardiness Zones: 5 – 8Plant Type: PerennialsLight Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)Mature Height: 2 – 3 FeetMature Spread: 2 – 3 FeetSpacing: 2 – 3 FeetHabit: UprightFlower Color(s): OrangeFlower Description: Bloom Period: Foliage Type: HerbaceousFoliage Color(s): GreenFoliage Description: Grey, GreenSeasonal Interest: Summer FloweringWatering: AverageResists: Disease, Pests & InsectsTolerates: HeatAttracts: HummingbirdsContainer Role: Uses: Borders, Containers, Mass Planting, Wildlife GardensFeatures: Attracts Pollinators, Low MaintenanceBrand: Common Name: Leopard LilyOther Name(s): Scientific Name: BELAMCANDA CHINENSIS