Turk's cap lily Lilium martagon 'Megan Evans'
ABOUT
The Lilium martagon 'Megan Evans', commonly referred to as Martagon Lily or Turk's Cap Lily, is a particularly eye-catching variety of lily. This plant is known for its distinctive recurved petals, which elegantly curl backwards. These petals often have a bright, warm pink hue that can add a touch of summer vibrancy to any garden space. Along the edges of the petals, the coloring may be deeper, providing a striking contrast. In the center of the flower, the petals are typically adorned with a smattering of darker pink spots or speckles, which adds to the overall intricate appearance of the bloom. The stamens of the flower protrude outward, with anthers perched at the tips, which are often a darker shade, adding another element of visual interest. The foliage of the Martagon Lily 'Megan Evans' is also noteworthy, with leaves arranged in whorls along the stem. These leaves are usually a deep green color, which creates a lush background, bringing the vibrant pink flowers to the forefront. The plant produces multiple blooms on each stem, creating a stunning display when the flowers are in full bloom. Overall, the Martagon Lily 'Megan Evans' exudes a sort of lighthearted charm with its upswept petals and playful spots, creating a whimsical yet elegant addition to any garden that does not require detailed knowledge of its dimensions to appreciate its beauty.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Turk's Cap Lily, Martagon Lily, Turkish Lily.
Common names
Lilium martagon 'Megan Evans'
ToxicityTo humans
Turk's cap lily is considered toxic if ingested. While not typically life-threatening to humans, the plant contains compounds that can cause uncomfortable symptoms if eaten. These symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. It's important to discourage children from eating any part of the plant. In cases of significant ingestion, medical attention should be sought to manage the symptoms appropriately.
To pets
Turk's cap lily is highly toxic to cats and can cause severe kidney damage if ingested. Even small amounts of any part of the plant, including the pollen, can be dangerous and result in symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, and increased urination, followed by reduced or absent urination as kidney failure sets in. If you suspect your cat has ingested any part of this lily, immediate veterinary attention is critical, and prompt treatment is essential for the best prognosis. Dogs are not usually affected by lilies as severely as cats, but they may still suffer from gastrointestinal upset if they consume the plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
4 feet (1.2 meters)
Spread
1 foot (0.3 meters)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: The plant features attractive, Turk's cap-shaped flowers that can enhance the visual appeal of gardens and landscapes.
- Pollinator Attraction: It attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, promoting biodiversity.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care, which is ideal for gardeners seeking low-maintenance plants.
- Drought Tolerance: The plant is relatively drought-tolerant, making it suitable for regions with water scarcity.
- Cold Hardy: It is capable of surviving in colder climates, expanding its suitability to a variety of gardens in different geographic areas.
- Long Blooming: It has a long flowering period, providing color and interest in the garden for an extended time.
- Perennial Growth: As a perennial, it returns each year, reducing the need to replant annually.
- Wildlife Habitat: It provides shelter and food for wildlife, including birds that may feed on its seeds.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Lilium martagon 'Megan Evans', commonly known as Turk's Cap Lily, can be used in floral arts, such as Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, due to its unique, turban-like flowers.
- The strong stems of the Turk's Cap Lily can be utilized as natural stakes for other plants in the garden that require support.
- Dried petals of Turk's Cap Lily can be incorporated into potpourri mixes to add color and subtle, natural scents to a room.
- The prominent flowers of the Turk's Cap Lily may serve as inspiration for artists and designers who are looking for natural forms to incorporate into their work.
- Used in photography classes or workshops, the Turk's Cap Lily can serve as an excellent subject for teaching macro photography techniques.
- Insect-friendly gardens can use Turk's Cap Lily to attract and support the local pollinator populations, such as bees and butterflies.
- A garden with varied topography might use the Turk's Cap Lily in vertical gardening to add depth and height variation in the landscape design.
- Due to their striking appearance, Turk's Cap Lilies can serve as a living sculpture in modern or minimalist garden settings.
- Children's gardening projects may use the bulb planting process of Turk's Cap Lilies to teach about plant growth cycles and perennial plants.
- As an indicator of soil health, planting Turk's Cap Lilies can provide gardeners with a visual cue on the fertility of their soil based on the blooms and vigor of the plant.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Martagon Lily is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Martagon Lily is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Purity: The lily flower, in general, is often associated with purity due to its white and innocent appearance, representing clarity and virtue.
- Royalty: The regal shape and nature of the lily have historically symbolized nobility and regal bearing, making it a worthy symbol of kings and queens.
- Renewal and Motherhood: Lilium martagon, or Turk's cap lily, blooms in the early summer, reminding us of renewal and the season of growth. It's also linked with motherhood in some cultures due to its nurturing aspect of returning every year.
- Chastity and Virtue: In some religious texts and myths, lilies are associated with chastity and high moral standards, often related to figures of exceptional purity.
- Wealth and Prosperity: The full, rounded blooms of the Turk's cap lily can symbolize abundance and prosperity, making it a favorable emblem for those wishing for financial success.
WaterThe Turk's Cap Lily should be watered thoroughly, ensuring that the soil is moist but not water-logged. During the growing season in spring and summer, water the plant once a week with about 1-1.5 gallons of water, depending on the size of the plant and the weather conditions. Decrease watering in the fall as the plant goes dormant, and over the winter, watering may only be necessary every few weeks to prevent the soil from completely drying out.
LightThe Turk's Cap Lily thrives in dappled sunlight or partial shade. It prefers a spot that is shielded from the harsh afternoon sun, while still receiving morning light or filtered sunlight throughout the day. Avoid placing it in deep shade as this can hinder its growth and flowering potential.
TemperatureThe Turk's Cap Lily is hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures but grows best when the daytime temperatures are between 60°F and 70°F. Ensure that it is not exposed to temperatures below 20°F as this can damage the plant. This lily can endure a light frost, but prolonged exposure to extreme cold is detrimental.
PruningPruning the Turk's Cap Lily is not typically necessary for the health of the plant, but spent flowers can be deadheaded after blooming to maintain a tidy appearance. Cut back the stems to ground level once the foliage has died back in late fall, preparing the plant for dormancy. Careful removal of any damaged or diseased foliage throughout the growing season can also be beneficial.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFor the Turk's Cap Lily, a well-draining, rich in organic matter soil mix is ideal, with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0 for optimal growth.
RepottingThe Turk's Cap Lily should be repotted every 3 to 4 years or when the bulb outgrows its current container.
Humidity & MistingThe Turk's Cap Lily thrives in moderate humidity levels, but it is tolerant of varying humidity conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Use bright, indirect light and keep soil slightly moist for indoor Turk's Cap Lilies.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, well-drained soil; mulch in winter for outdoor Turk's Cap Lilies.
Hardiness zone
The Turk's Cap Lily is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3-9.
Life cycleThe Turk's cap lily, Lilium martagon 'Megan Evans', starts its life as a bulb, which upon planting in the soil, begins to develop roots and shoots. In spring, the shoots emerge from the soil, developing into stems with whorled leaves, and the plant enters its vegetative growth stage. By early to mid-summer, the stems produce an inflorescence consisting of distinctive, down-facing, pinkish-purple flowers with recurved petals that are characteristic of the 'Megan Evans' variety. After pollination, often by bees and other insects attracted to the nectar and pollen, the flowers develop into seed pods. Once the seeds mature, the pods open, dispersing seeds that can give rise to new plants if conditions are favorable. Lastly, as a perennial plant, the Turk's cap lily will die back to the bulb in the autumn, where it will go dormant over winter before re-emerging the following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Martagon Lily, specifically the 'Megan Evans' cultivar, is commonly propagated through bulb scaling, which is a popular method for many lilies. This technique involves gently removing a few scales from the main bulb in the late summer or early autumn after the foliage has died back. Each scale is then treated with a fungicide to prevent rot and placed in a bag with slightly moistened vermiculite or perlite, at a temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 21 degrees Celsius). In this environment, tiny bulblets will form at the base of the scales. After a few weeks to a few months, once the bulblets have developed some size, they can be planted out. They typically need a couple of years to mature into flowering plants. This propagation method is advantageous because it can produce a substantial number of new plants from a single bulb, though it does require some patience for the bulblets to grow to a size suitable for planting out in the garden.
