Asiatic Lily Lilium 'Orange Marmalade' (Iib/c-d)
ABOUT
The Lily 'Orange Marmalade' is an ornamental flowering plant that boasts strikingly vibrant orange blooms. Each flower consists of large, trumpet-shaped petals that curl gracefully outward. The petals display a rich orange hue, with deeper orange spots and lighter edges, creating a beautiful contrast that draws the eye. At the center of each flower, one can notice prominent anthers that stand out with their dark color, which adds an extra layer of visual interest to the bloom. The plant has a lush green foliage that forms a complementary backdrop to the vivid flowers. The leaves are lance-shaped, with a smooth texture, and they are arranged in a whorl-like pattern along the stem, providing a dense and vibrant green canvas against which the orange flowers truly pop. The Lily 'Orange Marmalade' is a feast for the eyes and a favorite among gardeners looking to add a splash of bright, summery color to their landscape.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Liliaceae.
Synonyms
Orange Marmalade Lily, Asiatic Lily 'Orange Marmalade'.
Common names
Lilium 'Orange Marmalade'
ToxicityTo humans
The Lily 'Orange Marmalade' is generally not considered highly toxic to humans. While ingesting parts of most lily species can cause digestive upset such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, they are not known to be severely poisonous to humans. However, it is still advised to avoid consuming plant parts due to potential adverse reactions.
To pets
The Lily 'Orange Marmalade' is highly toxic to cats. Even ingestion of very small amounts of the plant, especially the leaves, petals, pollen, or water from the vase, can lead to severe acute kidney failure. Symptoms of lily poisoning in pets, particularly cats, include vomiting, lethargy, lack of appetite, and increased or decreased urination. Without prompt and proper treatment, poisoning from this lily can be fatal to a cat. Dogs are generally less susceptible to lily poisoning, but ingestion can still cause some gastrointestinal upset.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Orange
Height
3 feet (0.91 meters)
Spread
1 foot (0.30 meters)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Visual Appeal: Orange Marmalade Lily offers bright orange flowers, which add a vibrant splash of color to gardens and landscapes.
- Attracts Pollinators: The large, showy flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators essential for plant reproduction.
- Easy to Grow: This lily is known for being hardy and relatively easy to care for, making it suitable for a variety of gardeners, from beginners to experts.
- Versatility in Landscaping: Can be used in borders, pots, and as cut flowers, providing versatility in its use in landscaping and floral arrangements.
- Perennial Growth: Being a perennial, the Orange Marmalade Lily will return year after year, offering long-term presence in a garden.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Lily 'Orange Marmalade' petals can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, providing a soft orange tint to textiles without the use of harsh chemicals.
- The strong stems of the plant can be harvested and used in basket weaving, taking advantage of their natural durability and flexibility.
- Pressed lily flowers can be incorporated into handmade paper, adding a unique and decorative element to the final product.
- The flowers can be used as an organic confetti for outdoor events such as weddings or parties, biodegrading naturally and causing minimal environmental impact.
- As a natural insect repellent, lily flowers can be placed in a room to deter certain insects due to their specific scent compounds.
- Petals of the lily can be frozen into ice cubes to create visually stunning additions to cold beverages for special events.
- The leaves can be used in composting as they break down and enrich the soil with nutrients beneficial for garden health.
- These plants can be used in landscape art, with their bright color providing a captivating point of interest in environmental installations.
- Lily seed pods can be dried and used in decorative arrangements or as part of art projects, adding organic shapes and textures.
- Used in food presentation, the lily flowers can garnish a plate, adding elegance and a splash of color to culinary dishes (though they should not be consumed unless specifically identified as edible).
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Lily is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Lily is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Purity: Traditionally, lilies are associated with purity and refined beauty. The 'Orange Marmalade' lily, while having a vibrant color, often carries the same symbolic meaning.
- Passion: The orange color of the 'Orange Marmalade' lily can symbolize intense passion, energy, and enthusiasm, evoking feelings of warmth and creativity.
- Confidence: The bold hue of this lily may signify confidence and a sense of pride, encouraging people to embrace their personal strength.
- Healing: Lilies are sometimes linked to healing and rejuvenation. The bright 'Orange Marmalade' lily can convey a message of recovery or restoration of the spirit.
- Friendship: Because of their warm color, 'Orange Marmalade' lilies can be associated with the warmth and happiness often found in deep friendships.
- Wealth and Prosperity: In some cultures, the vibrant orange color represents wealth, success, and prosperity, which can be ascribed to the 'Orange Marmalade' lily as well.
WaterOrange Marmalade Lilies should be watered thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which usually happens about once a week during the growing season. Opt for deep, infrequent watering rather than shallow, frequent watering to encourage deep root growth. It's important to avoid overwatering as this can lead to bulb rot. Provide approximately one to two gallons of water for each plant, ensuring the water reaches the roots without flooding the area.
LightOrange Marmalade Lilies thrive best in full sun to partial shade locations. Full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight per day, is ideal for these lilies to produce their vibrant flowers. However, they can tolerate some light afternoon shade, especially in areas with very intense midday sun.
TemperatureOrange Marmalade Lilies prefer temperatures that range from 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, cooling down to about 55 to 65 degrees at night. They can survive minimum temperatures down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but should not be exposed to frost. The optimal growing temperature range helps ensure healthy growth and bloom production.
PruningPruning Orange Marmalade Lilies is done mainly to remove spent flowers and any yellowing leaves. Deadheading, or cutting off the faded flowers, encourages more blooms and prevents the plant from putting energy into seed production. It's best to prune lilies in the late fall once the foliage has died back naturally, preparing the plant for winter.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe ideal soil mix for Orange Marmalade Lily should be well-draining with a mix of loam, sand, and peat for good aeration and moisture retention. It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0. Adding organic matter such as compost can enrich the soil and promote healthy growth.
RepottingOrange Marmalade Lilies should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when they become overcrowded. The best time to repot is in the autumn after the lilies have finished blooming and have gone dormant.
Humidity & MistingOrange Marmalade Lilies enjoy moderate humidity levels. Aim for a humidity level between 40% and 60% to keep them thriving, but they can tolerate a range without significant issues if other growing conditions are met.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light with good air circulation.
Outdoor
Plant in a sunny spot with well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleLilium 'Orange Marmalade', commonly known as the Orange Marmalade Lily, begins its life as a bulb planted in well-draining soil, preferably in the fall or early spring. After planting, the bulb undergoes a period of dormancy, particularly in colder climates, waiting for the right temperature conditions to initiate growth. With the arrival of spring or early summer, the bulb sprouts and foliage emerges, developing into a sturdy stem with narrow leaves; this growth phase depends on proper sunlight, moisture, and occasional feeding to thrive. Following vegetative growth, the plant enters the flowering stage usually in mid to late summer, producing vibrant orange, trumpet-shaped flowers that are pollinated by insects, leading to seed formation. Once the flowering is complete and seeds have developed, the above-ground parts of the plant begin to die back, and the lily enters a period of senescence as it prepares for another dormant phase. Throughout this period, the bulb remains underground, storing energy to repeat the cycle the following year.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Lilium 'Orange Marmalade', also known as Asiatic Lily, is most commonly propagated by division of its bulbs. The best time for this process is in the late fall after the foliage has died back or in early spring before growth resumes. To propagate, carefully dig up the bulbs and gently separate them from the main plant, ensuring that each division has at least a couple of scales and some roots attached. The bulbs should then be replanted at a depth of about 6 inches (15 centimeters), spaced approximately 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters) apart to allow for adequate growth. This method allows for the swift increase of the plant and maintains the true characteristics of the 'Orange Marmalade' cultivar.
