What Kind Of Lilies Are There

If you’re thinking about adding lilies to your garden, you might be wondering what kind of lilies are there to choose from. The sheer variety can be surprising, but understanding the main types makes picking the perfect one much easier.

Lilies are classic, elegant flowers that bring stunning color and fragrance to any space. They grow from bulbs and come in many shapes and sizes. This guide will walk you through the main categories and popular varieties, helping you select the best lilies for your needs.

Most garden lilies belong to a few key groups, called divisions. These divisions are based on the flower’s origin, shape, and how it grows. The North American Lily Society officially recognizes nine divisions. We’ll cover the most common and widely available ones for home gardeners.

Asiatic Lilies

Asiatic lilies are the earliest to bloom, often starting in early summer. They are also among the easiest to grow, making them perfect for beginners. These lilies are known for their vibrant, upward-facing flowers and lack of strong fragrance, which some people prefer.

Appearance: Flowers face upward, come in almost every color except true blue. Petals are often sleek and sometimes have speckles.
Height: Typically range from 2 to 4 feet tall.
Care: Very hardy and low-maintenance. They multiply quickly.

Popular varieties include the bright yellow ‘Connecticut King’, the deep red ‘Black Out’, and the cheerful orange ‘Tiny Double You’. They are extremely cold-hardy and thrive in full sun.

Oriental Lilies

Oriental lilies are the stars of mid to late summer with their large, breathtaking blooms. They are famous for their intense, sweet fragrance that can perfume an entire garden. Their flowers are often outward or downward facing with dramatic, recurved petals.

Appearance: Large, often frilly flowers with strong patterns and striking colors like white, pink, and crimson.
Height: Can grow quite tall, from 3 to 6 feet.
Care: Prefer acidic soil and need excellent drainage. Slightly less hardy than Asiatics.

Look for the iconic ‘Stargazer’ with its pink and white stripes, the pure white ‘Casablanca’, or the gorgeous pink ‘Muscadet’. They are superb as cut flowers.

Trumpet and Aurelian Lilies

These lilies are known for their trumpet-shaped flowers and powerful fragrance. They bloom after Asiatics but before most Orientals, providing a lovely bridge in the flowering sequence. The blooms are often large and clustered.

Appearance: Long, trumpet-shaped flowers that face outward or downward. Colors are often white, yellow, pink, or pastel shades.
Height: Very tall, frequently reaching 4 to 6 feet.
Care: Generally sturdy, but their height may require staking in windy areas.

The classic ‘Regale’ lily is a favorite here, with white trumpets and a yellow throat. ‘African Queen’ offers beautiful apricot-orange blooms.

Oriental-Trumpet (OT) Hybrids

OT Hybrids are a fantastic cross between Oriental and Trumpet lilies. They combine the best traits of both parents: large, fragrant flowers, strong stems, and robust growth. They are sometimes called “Tree Lilies” because they can get very tall.

Appearance: Huge, outward-facing flowers with a wide color range.
Height: Often an impressive 5 to 8 feet tall.
Care: Vigorous and disease-resistant. They benefit from being planted deeply.

‘Scheherazade’ is a stunning variety with dark red edges on a yellow background. ‘Black Beauty’ is another standout, with recurved petals of deep crimson.

LA Hybrid Lilies

LA Hybrids are a cross between Longiflorum (Easter) lilies and Asiatic lilies. They inherit the large flower size from the Longiflorum parent and the wide color palette and hardiness from the Asiatic side. They have a very light scent.

Appearance: Large, upward-facing blooms that are slightly more refined than pure Asiatics.
Height: Usually between 3 to 4 feet.
Care: Exceptionally easy and great for forcing in pots.

Try the salmon-pink ‘Royal Sunset’ or the vibrant red ‘Original Live’. They are excellent for container gardening.

Martagon Lilies

Martagon lilies, also known as Turk’s Cap lilies, have a unique, charming appearence. Their small, downward-facing flowers have strongly recurved petals. They are ideal for woodland gardens or dappled shade.

Appearance: Many small flowers per stem, with petals curling back to form a “Turk’s cap” shape.
Height: 3 to 6 feet, with flowers arranged in tiers.
Care: Prefer cool, shady roots and take a year or two to establish, but then are long-lived.

The native Lilium martagon is pinkish-purple with dark spots. The ‘Claude Shride’ variety offers a beautiful maroon color.

Choosing and Planting Your Lilies

Now that you know what kind of lilies are available, here’s how to get them started. Lily bulbs are best planted in the fall or early spring. They like “cold feet and a warm head,” meaning cool roots and sunshine on their foliage.

Pick a Spot: Choose a location with well-draining soil and at least 6 hours of sun. Martagons prefer partial shade.
Prepare the Soil: Work in some compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage and fertility.
Plant Deep: A general rule is to plant the bulb three times as deep as the bulb is tall. This often means a hole 6-8 inches deep.
Spacing: Place bulbs about 8 to 12 inches apart to allow for good air circulation.
Water In: After planting, give them a thorough watering to settle the soil.

Adding a mulch layer can help keep the roots cool and conserve moisture. Remember to label where you planted them!

Caring for Lilies Through the Season

With proper care, your lilies will return and multiply for years. The main tasks are watering, feeding, and deadheading.

Watering: Water deeply during active growth, especially if rainfall is scarce. Avoid wetting the foliage to prevent disease.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer when shoots emerge in spring, and again as the flower buds form.
Deadheading: After a flower fades, snip it off to prevent seed production. This helps the bulb save energy for next year. Do not cut back the stem and leaves until they turn yellow and brown in the fall.
Winter Care: In most climates, lily bulbs are fine in the ground over winter. A layer of mulch after the ground freezes can provide extra protection in very cold zones.

Watch out for red lily leaf beetles, a common pest. Hand-pick them off plants if you see them.

FAQ About Lily Types

What are the most fragrant types of lilies?
Oriental, Trumpet, and OT Hybrid lilies are the most fragrant. Asiatic and LA Hybrids have little to no scent.

Which lilies are easiest for a beginner?
Asiatic lilies are the toughest and most forgiving. LA Hybrids are also a very easy choice for starting out.

Are there lilies that bloom all summer?
No single lily blooms all summer, but you can sequence them. Plant early-blooming Asiatics, followed by Trumpets and OT Hybrids, then finish with late-blooming Orientals for months of color.

Can I grow lilies in pots?
Absolutely! Dwarf Asiatic varieties and LA Hybrids are particularly well-suited for containers. Ensure the pot is deep enough and has good drainage holes.

What’s the difference between daylilies and true lilies?
This is a common mix-up! Daylilies (Hemerocallis) have grass-like leaves and flowers on leafless stems that each last one day. True lilies (Lilium) grow from bulbs with a single, tall stem surrounded by leaves, and each flower lasts a week or more.

With so many beautiful options, you can definately find lilies that fit your garden’s style and your climate. Whether you want the bold colors of Asiatics or the evening perfume of Orientals, these magnificent flowers offer something for every gardener.