Asiatic lily (Lilium 'Malta')
Lilium 'Malta' is a low-maintenance Asiatic lily producing showy, rosy-pink flowers in early summer, ideal for borders.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Lilium ‘Malta’, a standout Asiatic lily, provides gardeners with reliable, vibrant color early in the summer landscape. This hybrid is valued for its solid, deep rosy-pink blooms that appear on rigid stems, offering excellent visual impact in garden beds. Asiatic lilies, like Lilium ‘Malta’, are generally favored for their robust nature and early bloom time, making them staples for dependable summer displays.
This bulbous perennial thrives in average soil, provided it has good drainage, and is generally considered very low maintenance once established. Gardeners appreciate the clean structure of the Lilium ‘Malta’ plant, which offers height and contrast in perennial borders without demanding constant attention. Its qualities as an excellent fresh cut flower further enhance its value in home horticulture.
As one of the easier lilies for the average gardener to cultivate, Lilium ‘Malta’ is an accessible introduction to the genus. Ensure proper placement regarding sun exposure and root cooling management to maximize bloom quality and plant vigor throughout its growing season in USDA Zones 4 through 8.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Liliaceae
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2.5-3 ft
- Spread: 0.75-1 ft
- Bloom Time: June to July
- Bloom Description: Rosy-pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Lilium ‘Malta’ bulbs is best achieved in the fall, though some nurseries ship potted plants that can be set out from spring through fall. Aim for a depth of 4 to 6 inches in well-drained, average soil amended with plenty of organic matter, as lilies prefer rich substrate. For the best aesthetic impact, plant these Asiatic lilies in groups of three, spacing the bulbs about 12 inches apart.
Consistent moisture is crucial; bulbs require good, even moisture year-round, but avoid soggy conditions to prevent the risk of bulb rot, especially in poorly draining sites. A key cultural tip for success is ensuring the soil keeps the roots cool—mulch heavily around the base—while allowing the foliage to receive full sun to part shade. Too much shade can weaken stems, possibly requiring staking for taller specimens.
Routine care involves minimal intervention. Deadhead spent flowers promptly to prevent the plant from setting seed. After the summer bloom concludes and the foliage naturally yellows, you can cut the stems back; do not prune them earlier, as the leaves are necessary to feed the bulb for next year’s display.
Landscape Uses
Lilium ‘Malta’ functions wonderfully as a showy vertical accent within the traditional perennial border, interrupting the middle-story planting with its dependable rosy-pink hue in early summer. Planting these lilies in drifts creates mass color impact, providing excellent contrast against lower-growing foliage plants or blue/yellow flowering companions. Beyond borders, this Asiatic lily adapts well to container gardening, though blooms may be slightly smaller if container-bound.
Because they are such reliable bloomers and excellent for cutting, massing Lilium ‘Malta’ near vegetable gardens or kitchen doors makes accessing cut stems simple. For a truly layered look, pair the 3-foot stems of these Asiatic lilies with shorter spring bloomers that will mask the foliage as the summer progresses, or place them alongside plants that appreciate similar sun requirements.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
Noteworthy Characteristics
Lilium is a genus of about 100 species of bulbous, herbaceous perennials native to Europe, North America and Asia south to the Philippines. Lilies typically feature 6-tepaled flowers in a variety of shapes (trumpet, funnel, cup, bell, bowl or flat), sometimes nodding, sometimes with reflexed petals, atop stiff, unbranched stems clothed with linear to elliptic leaves. ‘Malta’ features solid, deep rose-pink flowers with no spotting on rigid stems and is classified as an Asiatic hybrid lily, known for large flowers and early summer bloom.
Tolerances
No tolerances specified.
Potential Problems
Lily leaf beetles pose the most significant aesthetic threat, appearing as brightly colored pests that skeletonize foliage rapidly if not managed. Inspect plants regularly, particularly the undersides of leaves, and remove beetles by hand if infestations are spotted early. Disease risks include bulb rot in overly wet soils and lily mosaic virus, which is spread by aphids; therefore, prompt control of any aphid outbreaks is highly recommended, as there is no cure for the virus once infection occurs. Although Asiatic hybrid lilies like Lilium ‘Malta’ are generally easy to grow, avoid planting them where water pools or in dense shade, which weakens stems and invites fungal issues like botrytis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Asiatic lily suitable for?
Lilium ‘Malta’ is hardy and reliable in USDA Zones 4 through 8.
How large does Lilium ‘Malta’ grow?
This Asiatic lily typically reaches a height between 2.5 and 3 feet, spreading to about 0.75 to 1 foot wide.
What sun exposure does Lilium ‘Malta’ need?
It performs best when grown in full sun to part shade conditions, though roots should be kept cool via mulching.
When does Lilium ‘Malta’ bloom?
This variety blooms reliably from June to July, displaying striking rosy-pink flowers.
Conclusion
The Lilium ‘Malta’ Asiatic lily offers exceptional garden value through its manageable size, low maintenance needs, and striking rosy-pink summer blooms. Its robustness makes it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners looking to introduce classic, upright structure into their borders. Before planting, confirm your location falls within USDA Zones 4-8 and ensure soil drainage is adequate for long-term success with this beautiful bulb.
Companion Planting
Selecting appropriate companions is key to managing the needs of Lilium ‘Malta’ and enhancing its visual appeal. Because lilies prefer cool, shaded roots but sunny tops, pairing them with low-growing perennials that remain dense throughout the summer is ideal. Good partners include groundcovers like sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) or creeping thyme, which will shade the soil surface and minimize weed competition while the blooms of this Asiatic lily are peaking.
Consider plants with contrasting leaf texture or bloom time to create dynamic seasonal interest. Hostas, when placed slightly to the north of the lilies where their shade will be temporary, or silvery foliage plants like Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina), offer fantastic contrast to the upright stems of Lilium ‘Malta’. Ensure companions do not significantly compete for the medium water needs required by the bulbs.
Design Ideas for Upright Color
Utilizing Lilium ‘Malta’ in mass plantings creates far more impact than scattering single bulbs throughout a bed. Design borders by planting groupings of at least three or five, staggered slightly to create a natural drift of color peaking in June and July. This height (around 3 feet) places it perfectly in the middle layer of a three-tiered border design, providing a focal point behind shorter foreground plants.
For a contemporary or formal look, use Lilium ‘Malta’ alongside plants with different flower shapes, such as the rounded globes of Allium or the spiky verticality of Salvia. The strong, solid color of this Asiatic lily ensures it reads cleanly from a distance, making it an effective transitional plant between large masses of foundational shrubs and lower edging plants.
