Asiatic lily (Lilium 'Dot Com')
Lilium 'Dot Com' is a low-maintenance Asiatic lily known for creamy white flowers with burgundy dots blooming mid-summer.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Lilium ‘Dot Com’ is a highly desirable Division I Asiatic hybrid lily, celebrated by gardeners for its vibrant, early to mid-summer display. This specific Asiatic lily cultivar presents striking 4-6 inch flowers that range from creamy white to pale pink, dramatically accented with concentrated burgundy dots towards the center. As one of the easier lilies to cultivate, Lilium ‘Dot Com’ offers excellent visual impact in perennial borders without demanding intensive care, qualifying it as a low-maintenance superstar.
Growing sturdy, rigid stems between two and three feet tall, this bulbous perennial is well-suited for creating vertical interest in the garden landscape. Its structure is generally stiff, though staking might occasionally be necessary in overly shaded or exposed locations. The reliable performance and early bloom time make the Asiatic lily a foundational element for consistent summer color.
Gardeners appreciate the robust nature of these hybrids; Asiatic lilies are among the first lilies to flower, providing a welcome show after the spring bulbs fade. Whether used in mass plantings or as striking specimens, Lilium ‘Dot Com’ delivers strong contrast and reliable structure year after year, provided basic soil and moisture needs are met.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Liliaceae
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-3 ft
- Spread: 0.75-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: June to July
- Bloom Description: Creamy white to pale pink with burgundy dots
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Lilium ‘Dot Com’ bulbs is best accomplished in the fall, though some nurseries ship potted plants that can be placed in the garden from spring through fall. Ensure soil is well-drained, as excess moisture quickly leads to bulb rot, a major vulnerability for Asiatic lilies. Plant bulbs 4 to 6 inches deep, spacing them about 12 inches apart; grouping them in threes enhances their visual display. The ideal location provides full sun to the upper portions of the plant while keeping the root zone cool, often achieved by mulching or planting shorter companions around the base.
Routine care for this Asiatic lily requires medium water; bulbs need consistent, even moisture throughout the year, yet the soil must never become waterlogged. Rich, organic soils are preferred to support the best growth. Deadhead faded flowers promptly to prevent seed formation, but avoid cutting the foliage back. Post-bloom, allow the leaves and stems to turn yellow naturally before cutting them down, as this process replenishes the energy reserves in the bulb for next season’s impressive show from Lilium ‘Dot Com’.
While low maintenance, be vigilant for potential pests like the lily leaf beetle. Also, because stems can weaken under the wrong conditions, staking tall specimens grown in excessive shade or exposed windy areas may be necessary to keep the 2-3 foot stems of Lilium ‘Dot Com’ upright.
Landscape Uses
This showy Asiatic lily excels as a structural element in the summer perennial border, offering vertical lines that contrast beautifully with lower-growing foliage plants. Plant Lilium ‘Dot Com’ in drifts or groups of three or more to maximize the impact of its unique spotted flowers against the green backdrop. Since they stand relatively tall at 2-3 feet, position them toward the middle or rear of mixed borders so they don’t shade out shorter neighbors.
Beyond traditional bedding, these bulbs perform admirably in containers. While the blooms may be slightly smaller when grown in pots, the portability allows you to place the bright display exactly where needed during the June and July bloom period. Lilium ‘Dot Com’ also stands out as an excellent source for fresh cut flowers; the rigid, unbranched stems make them easy to arrange indoors.
Consider pairing them with plants that enjoy similar sun and moisture regimes but bloom at different times, such as late-season salvias or catmint, to ensure continuous interest once the Asiatic lily finishes flowering.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
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. ‘Dot Com’ is classified as a Division I Asiatic hybrid lily, known for reliable early summer bloom without much fragrance. Its flowers feature creamy white to light pink petals marked vividly with burgundy dots concentrated near the center, atop rigid 2-3-foot stems.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Asiatic hybrid lilies, including Lilium ‘Dot Com’, are generally considered hardy, but gardeners must watch for a few common issues. Lily leaf beetles pose a significant threat in infested areas; these bright red pests skeletonize foliage quickly, requiring manual removal or appropriate treatment. Bulb rot is easily preventable by ensuring excellent soil drainage, as standing water swiftly destroys the underground storage organs. Furthermore, lily mosaic virus is a concern; since there is no cure, controlling the aphids that spread this virus is critical for protecting your stand of Lilium ‘Dot Com’.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Asiatic lily suitable for?
Lilium ‘Dot Com’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 8.
How large does Lilium ‘Dot Com’ grow?
This Asiatic lily reaches a mature height of 2 to 3 feet and spreads between 0.75 and 1.5 feet wide.
When does Asiatic lily bloom?
Lilium ‘Dot Com’ provides its primary bloom display in the early summer months, typically from June into July, featuring creamy white to pale pink flowers marked with burgundy dots.
What sun exposure does Lilium ‘Dot Com’ need?
This variety thrives best in full sun conditions but will tolerate part shade, understanding that too much shade may weaken the stems and necessitate staking.
Conclusion
Lilium ‘Dot Com’ offers gardeners an accessible route into growing spectacular lilies, thanks to its low maintenance requirements and its early summer flush of uniquely spotted flowers. The dependable height and striking coloration of this Asiatic lily make it a staple for borders and bouquets. Before planting, confirm your site offers well-drained soil and plan your planting time for fall or early spring to ensure a superb display next June.
Companion Planting
Selecting good companions for Lilium ‘Dot Com’ involves choosing plants that share its need for full sun to part shade and, critically, do not block airflow or crowd the root zone too densely. Mid-height perennials that bloom later in the season help provide continuous color after the Asiatic lily fades. Good partners include Catmint (Nepeta), which forms a neat, lower mound of silvery-green foliage, or early blooming Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica). Low-growing groundcovers, such as hardy Geraniums, are excellent for shading the soil around the base of the lily bulbs to keep their roots cool, mimicking the preferred growing conditions suggested for this species.
Design Ideas for Mixed Borders
The visual structure of Lilium ‘Dot Com’ lends itself well to cottage garden styling or more formal mixed perennial groupings. Due to their straight, unbranched stems, they function perfectly as “thrillers” in a design, rising above mounding plants positioned in the foreground. For a cottage look, intersperse them with other summer bloomers like purple Alliums (after they finish flowering) or tall, airy Veronicastrum. In contemporary designs, utilize the stark white and burgundy contrast by planting them against modern, dark-leaved foliage plants like dark Heuchera or deep purple foliage forms of Salvia nemorosa. Always remember to plant them in even numbers or groups of three or more to let the beauty of the spotted blooms of the Asiatic lily really stand out.
