St Bruno's lily Paradisea liliastrum (L.) Bertol.
ABOUT
P. liliastrum is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial to 60cm in height, with greyish-green grassy leaves and erect stems bearing racemes of lily-like pure white flowers 4-6cm in length in early summer
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asparagaceae.
Synonyms
St Bruno's Lily, St Bruno Lily, Alpine Lily, White Mountain Lily, Anthericum Liliastrum.
Common names
Anthericum liliastrum L., Phalangium liliastrum (L.) Moench, Paradisea grandiflora Salisb., Leucocrinum liliastrum (L.) A. Chev.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Paradisea liliastrum, commonly known as St Bruno's lily, features striking white flowers that add aesthetic appeal to gardens and landscapes.
- Wildlife Attraction: The blooms of St Bruno's lily attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems.
- Ease of Care: St Bruno's lily is known for being relatively easy to grow and maintain, making it suitable for gardeners of various skill levels.
- Tolerance to Climate: This plant is hardy in a range of climatic conditions, often thriving in cooler climates typical of its native alpine regions.
- Soil Adaptability: St Bruno's lily can adapt to various soil types, although it prefers moist, well-drained conditions.
- Seasonal Interest: The flowering season of St Bruno's lily provides a seasonal highlight in late spring to early summer with its lush blooms.
- Landscape Design: The vertical accent and clumping habit of St Bruno's lily make it a good addition for creating structure and visual interest in mixed borders and gardens.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Paradise Lily as a natural pest repellent: The sap of the Paradise Lily could potentially be used to deter certain insects and pests in the garden.
- Symbolic uses in ceremonies: In some cultural practices, Paradise Lily might be used in weddings or other ceremonies for its symbolic meanings of purity and the heavenly.
- Photography and art: The striking appearance of the Paradise Lily makes it a popular subject for photographers and artists, who capture its beauty in various creative works.
- Dried floral arrangements: Once dried, the stalks and flowers of the Paradise Lily can be incorporated into everlasting floral arrangements or wreaths.
- Educational tool in botany: The Paradise Lily serves as an interesting specimen for botanical studies due to its unique characteristics and taxonomic classification.
- Landscaping with contrast: This plant can be used in gardening to provide a contrast with its bright white flowers against dark foliage of other plants.
- Water gardens: Paradise Lily could be planted on the margins of water gardens to add vertical interest and complement aquatic plants.
- Nature-inspired design: The Paradise Lily's form and color are inspirational to designers, influencing patterns in textiles, wallpaper, and other decorative arts.
- Ephemeral art installations: Temporarily beautiful before wilting, the flowers can be used in short-lived art installations to convey themes of transience.
- Culinary experimentation: Although not commonly consumed, the plant’s edible parts could inspire culinary experimentation, used carefully and sparingly after proper research on edibility and safety.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe St. Bruno's lily is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe St. Bruno's lily is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Purity: Paradisea liliastrum, commonly known as St Bruno's lily, often symbolizes purity due to its white, pristine flowers that evoke a sense of innocence and unblemished beauty.
- Heavenly: Given its common name, this plant is associated with Saint Bruno, the founder of the Carthusian order, which might contribute to its heavenly and spiritual connotations.
- Rebirth: Like many lilies, St Bruno's lily is frequently seen as a symbol of rebirth or regeneration because of its perennial nature, blooming afresh each season.
- Tranquility: The lush and serene appearance of the flower can represent tranquility and peace, making it a suitable gift for occasions that call for rest and repose.
WaterSt Bruno's lily prefers consistent moisture, especially during spring and early summer when it is growing most actively. Water the plant when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. Depending on the climate and weather conditions, this could be about once a week, but always check the soil moisture before watering. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. An approximate amount would be half a gallon for outdoor plants, ensuring the water penetrates the soil deeply to reach the roots.
LightSt Bruno's lily thrives in partial shade to full sun. The best spot is one where it can receive morning sunlight and be protected from the intense heat of the afternoon sun. This balance will promote healthy growth and flowering without causing stress from overexposure to harsh sunlight.
TemperatureSt Bruno's lily can tolerate a temperature range from about 50°F to 77°F. It can survive brief dips down to freezing, but prolonged exposure to temperatures below 32°F may harm the plant. The ideal temperature range for optimal growth is between 60°F and 70°F.
PruningSt Bruno's lily requires minimal pruning, mainly to remove spent flower stalks after blooming and any yellowing or dead foliage. Pruning is best done in late summer or early fall, once flowering has finished. This helps maintain a tidy appearance and prevents the plant from using energy to set seeds.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSt Bruno's lily thrives in a well-draining soil mix with high organic content. A blend of loamy soil, peat, and sand would be ideal, ensuring good aeration and moisture retention. The pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 5.5 to 7.0.
RepottingSt Bruno's lily should be repotted every 2-3 years or when it outgrows its current pot. This encourages renewed growth and allows you to refresh the soil, addressing nutrient depletion and maintaining soil structure.
Humidity & MistingSt Bruno's lily prefers moderate to high humidity levels but is generally tolerant of various humidity conditions as long as proper watering is maintained. Aim for around 40-60% humidity for optimal growth.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright, indirect light and monitor humidity.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade with moist, well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleThe life of St. Bruno's lily (Paradisea liliastrum) begins as a seed, which germinates in moist, well-drained soil typically in spring. The seedling develops into a vegetative plant, forming a rosette of long, lance-shaped leaves. Over time, the plant develops a robust root system and in maturity, it produces a flowering stalk around late spring to early summer. The stalk bears white, star-shaped flowers that are pollinated by insects, leading to the production of capsules containing seeds. After flowering and seed set, the plant enters a period of dormancy in late summer or autumn, where above-ground parts may die back. The cycle recommences the following spring, when new growth emerges from the perennial underground rhizome.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
Propogation: St. Bruno's lily, known scientifically as Paradisea liliastrum, is commonly propagated by division, which is ideally undertaken in the spring or early fall. To propagate St. Bruno's lily by division, carefully lift the clump of the mother plant from the ground with a garden fork, minimizing damage to the roots. Gently separate smaller sections from the outer parts of the clump, ensuring each division contains several growth points or shoots along with a portion of the root system. Replant the divisions promptly at the same depth they were originally growing, spacing them about 12 inches (approximately 30 cm) apart to allow room for growth. Water the new plantings thoroughly to help establish them, maintaining consistent moisture but not overwatering to avoid rot. This method of propagation allows gardeners to rapidly increase their stock of St. Bruno's lily while also rejuvenating older clumps that may have become too crowded, thereby maintaining the health and vigor of the plants.
