Lilium speciosum 'Rubrum' | Japanese Show Lily Bulb | Fragrant Pink Heirloom Lily

Add elegance, fragrance, and late-season color to your garden with Lilium speciosum 'Rubrum', commonly known as the Japanese Show Lily. This heirloom species lily is treasured for its large, nodding blooms, intoxicating fragrance, and beautifully recurved petals adorned with deep crimson spotting.

Native to Japan, Taiwan, and parts of China, this stunning lily produces clusters of exotic-looking flowers that appear in late summer when many other garden perennials have finished blooming. The blooms feature white to soft pink petals heavily flushed with raspberry-pink and speckled with rich crimson spots, creating a dramatic display that attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and admiring gardeners alike.

Growing on tall stems reaching up to 6 feet, Japanese Show Lily makes a spectacular focal point in woodland gardens, cottage borders, pollinator gardens, and cutting gardens. Its highly fragrant blooms are especially valued in floral arrangements where they provide both beauty and perfume.

Key Features

• Large 6-inch fragrant blooms
• Beautiful recurved "Turk's Cap" style petals
• White and pink flowers with crimson spotting
• Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds
• Excellent cut flower with long vase life
• Ideal for woodland and cottage gardens
• Cold hardy perennial bulb
• Returns year after year

Plant Details

• Botanical Name: Lilium speciosum var. rubrum
• Common Name: Japanese Show Lily, Rubrum Lily
• Plant Type: Perennial Bulb
• Flower Color: White, Pink, Raspberry, Crimson
• Foliage: Deep Green Whorled Leaves
• Mature Height: 4–6 Feet
• Spread: 12–18 Inches
• Bloom Season: Late Summer to Early Fall
• Growth Habit: Tall, Upright
• Light Requirements: Partial Shade to Full Sun
• Water Needs: Moderate
• Hardiness Zones: 3–8
• Characteristics: Fragrant, Pollinator Friendly, Cold Hardy, Deer Resistant

Garden Uses

Woodland gardens, Cottage gardens, Shade borders, Pollinator gardens, Cut flower gardens, Naturalized landscapes, Mixed perennial beds, Specimen plantings

Pollinator Friendly

The highly fragrant blooms attract:

• Butterflies
• Hummingbirds
• Native bees
• Beneficial pollinators

A valuable addition to wildlife-friendly gardens.

Companion Plants

Pairs beautifully with:

• Hosta
• Astilbe
• Columbine (Aquilegia)
• Ferns (Athyrium, Dryopteris)
• Meadow Rue (Thalictrum)
• Heuchera
• Brunnera
• Toad Lily (Tricyrtis)

These companions help create a lush woodland garden while keeping lily roots cool.

Care Instructions

• Plant bulbs 6–8 inches deep
• Choose rich, well-drained soil
• Prefers slightly acidic conditions
• Water consistently during active growth
• Mulch to retain moisture and cool roots
• Deadhead spent blooms
• Allow foliage to naturally die back before trimming

Shipping Information

Plant Condition

• Ships as one healthy bareroot bulb
• Freshly harvested and carefully packaged

Shipping Notes

• Orders begin shipping in March and September
• Securely wrapped to retain moisture
• Weather delays may occur during extreme temperatures
• Free USPS Ground Shipping on qualifying orders over $35

Care Guarantee

We stand behind every plant we sell. If your lily arrives damaged, contact us within 48 hours with photos of the bulb and packaging for a replacement or refund.