The true Tiger Lilies: Don't make a common mistake, and call just any old spotted orange lily a 'Tiger Lily.' Only one group is descended from the real thing. Like most Asian species lilies, this old reliable was a staple in the Oriental diet for centuries. The bulbs were--and are--cooked for foods and soups. But it's not the taste that made this lily bulb world famous. It's the beautiful flowers and the ease of growing them. The true Tiger Lily is native to Korea, but today, gardeners the world over enjoy the beautiful big flowers on strong stems that return year after year. In fact, Tiger lilies are now so common in the US, many people think they're native. As long as you have well-drained soil, they will grow for you, perfectly perennial even in some of America's coldest climates. This is the lily with little black 'bulbils' (baby bulbs) that form up and down the stem in the leaf axils. These little bulbs drop to the ground naturally, and spring up the next year as baby tiger lily plants. Over the years, you'll have an expanding clump. This is the perfect no-maintenance lily to add to your flower border or particularly, your wildflower meadow. A few towering lilies over a wild meadow in full bloom is a wonderful mid-summer sight.
