Michigan Lily

Michigan lily picLilium Michiganense

The Michigan Lily showcases stunning orange to red-orange flowers throughout the summer. Its petals have a distinctive backward curve, setting it apart from other native lilies.

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Introduction

The Michigan lily is a rare plant and most of the lilies grown horticulturally are non-native Asian lilies. These lilies escape cultivation and can become invasive in the wild. A common non-native variety that looks like the Michigan lily is the Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium). This non-native variety of lily will not attract the same quantity of native insects as the Michigan Lily.

Before blooming, the buds resemble peppers hanging from the stem. This lily thrives in sunny spots with moderately moist to wet soil. It’s perfect for planting in perennial borders, or near ponds and streams, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens.

The Michigan Lily can be found by traveling south from the large pond to the council oak on bluebird trail.


 

Life Cycle

Perennial

Sun Exposure

Full, Partial

Soil Moisture

Wet, Medium-Wet, Medium

Height

5 feet

Bloom Time

June, July, August

Bloom Color

Orange


About the Plant

This flower is a favorite among wildlife. Its large, vibrant blooms seem to be made to attract hummingbirds and larger, daytime insects like Sphinx moths, Hummingbird moths and bigger butterflies such as Monarchs, Great Spangled Fritillaries and Spicebush Swallowtails, all drawn to the nectar. Deer, rabbits, horses, cattle and other livestock may nibble on the foliage, while voles sometimes munch on the bulbs.