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Ixiolirion

Ixiolirion tataricum (ik-see-oh-LEER-ee-on tat-TAR-ih-kum)

Family: Ixioliriaceae Non-native Groundcover

Siberian Lily is a 15 inch tall, lily-like, flowering bulbous perennial that is native to east Asia. The large, violet, blooms appear in late spring atop tall, slender stems and last until early summer. The blossoms make excellent cut flowers. The genus name refers to the Tarter mountains in Russia. The species name honors Peter Simon Pallas, an 18th century botanist. Siberian Lily does best in nutrient-rich, well draining soil in full sun, but will tolerate afternoon-only sunlight. Provide consistent moisture after planting the bulbs and during the growing season, although the plant will tolerate a dry summer. Typically the plant goes dormant after flowering in summer and, at the point, you should cease watering. The plant is grown from bulbs that you should plant in the fall, 5 inches deep to the base of the bulb. When planting, space the bulbs 4 to 6 inches apart and 3 to 6 bulbs per square foot. If your area has cold winters, you should cover the planted bulbs with a thin layer of mulch. This is a great plant for use in beds, rock gardens, ground covers, and woodland gardens. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 40 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 5 - Groundcover Optimal soil pH Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Fills a similar niche Anemone blanda Convallaria majalis Crocus

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Bulb; Ground Cover; Herbaceous Perennial; Perennial
Life cycle
Bulb; Perennial
USDA zones
3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Sparse, basel, lance-shaped leaves.
Flower color
Blue; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Cup; Funnel
Flower detail
Funnel -shaped blue or violet-blue flowers, with a dark stripe down each petal, blooms in late spring through early summer.
Bloom time
Spring
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Asia Minor, East Central Turkey to Siberia and Himalaya
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Naturalized Area; Woodland
Landscape theme
Cutting Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; Rock Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Specimen
Garden tags
#drought tolerant #groundcover #spring flowers #purple flowers #rock garden #spring flowering bulbs #bulb #perennial #deer resistant #rodent proof #flowers late spring #woodland
Problems & Resistance
Resistant to
Deer; Drought
Particularly resistant to
deer
Propagation
Division; Seed

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.