The Turk’s Cap Lily (*Lilium martagon*) is an elegant addition to shade gardens and woodland borders. Unlike standard lilies that demand hot sun, Martagon lilies thrive in dappled shade and cool root zones. They bear tall stems with whorls of leaves, topped with nodding, recurved pink-purple speckled blossoms that resemble turbans.
Martagons love moisture-retentive, humus-rich soil and do exceptionally well in heavy clay soils. They can take a year to settle in before they bloom, but once established, they are long-lived and will clump up beautifully. Plant them in autumn in dappled shade, surround them with low ferns, and enjoy their exotic summer display.