Asiatic Lily with strong straight stems
Lilies are some of the most beloved and widely planted flowers by gardeners each season. With their elegant blooms and often intoxicating fragrance, lilies can add a touch of beauty and grace to any garden. In this guide, we’ll explore 15 stunning types of lily flowers you can grow, along with tips for cultivating these exquisite blooms.
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Asiatic lilies are a popular choice for gardeners due to their wide range of colors and ease of care. These lilies typically produce 3-6 flowers per stem and come in vibrant shades of orange, yellow, pink, and white.
Key features:
Asiatic lilies are known for their strong, straight stems that rarely require staking. They make excellent cut flowers with a long vase life. However, be aware that deer and rabbits find these lilies quite tasty, so you may need to protect them if wildlife is an issue in your area.
Oriental lilies are renowned for their intoxicating fragrance, especially potent in the evening. These lilies produce large, showy blooms in shades of white, pink, and crimson.
Key features:
Oriental lilies have broader leaves than some other lily varieties and are generally resistant to deer and rabbits. Their heavy pollen can stain furniture, so it’s best to remove the anthers if using them as cut flowers indoors.
Orienpet lilies are a cross between Oriental hybrids and trumpet lilies, offering the best of both worlds. Their blooms start with a shallow trumpet shape before opening fully into broad, spectacular flowers.
Key features:
These lilies produce large flowers up to 10 inches across in colors ranging from red and yellow to orange and white. Their strong fragrance and impressive height make them a standout in any summer garden.
LA hybrids are the result of crossing Asiatic lilies with “Easter-type” lilies. These lilies offer larger, bolder blooms than their Asiatic parents and come in a wide array of vibrant colors.
Key features:
While LA hybrids lack fragrance, they make up for it with their striking appearance. Each bloom can reach up to 7 inches across, creating a dramatic display in the garden.
Also known as martagon lilies, Turk’s cap lilies are easily identified by their distinctively recurved petals. These charming flowers resemble tiny butterflies dangling from graceful stalks.
Key features:
Each stem of a Turk’s cap lily can produce 12 or more blooms, creating a stunning display. Most varieties are quite fragrant, with some featuring spotted petals for added visual interest.
The Canada lily is a native North American species featuring orange or yellow petals with a slight recurve. These lilies are more shade-tolerant than many other lily species, making them ideal for woodland gardens.
Key features:
Canada lilies produce 5-20 nodding blooms per stalk, with leaves arranged in whorls along the stem. They’re an excellent choice for moist meadows and partially shaded areas.
Longiflorum lilies, also known as Easter lilies, are primarily sold as seasonal plants. These lilies feature classic white, trumpet-shaped flowers with an outward-facing design.
Key features:
While typically forced to bloom for Easter, these lilies can be grown in gardens in suitable climates. Their pure white blooms and sweet fragrance make them a timeless favorite.
Tiger lilies are known for their vibrant, warm-toned flowers ranging from deep red to bright orange. These lilies add height and drama to any garden with their long stems and large, showy blooms.
Key features:
The distinctive spotted petals of tiger lilies make them a standout in any garden setting. They’re also relatively easy to grow and can naturalize in suitable conditions.
The Magic Star Double Oriental Lily is truly a showstopper with its layers of ruffled petals. These massive flowers feature pink petals striped with red, edged in white, and freckled with crimson.
Key features:
Not only are these lilies visually stunning, but they’re also highly fragrant. The lack of pollen means the blooms last longer, making them ideal for cut flower arrangements.
The Tiger Moon Lily, also known as Yellow Tiger, features giant white flowers with yellow centers and maroon speckles. These lilies bloom from mid to late summer and produce particularly aromatic and long-lasting flowers.
Key features:
One of the advantages of Tiger Moon lilies is their ability to tolerate partial shade and heavy clay soil, making them versatile for various garden conditions.
The Lollipop Lily charms with its sweet white and cherry-pink blooms. These compact plants begin flowering in early summer, reaching heights of 2 to 3 feet.
Key features:
Lollipop lilies are perfect for containers on sunny decks or patios, or tucked among sun-loving perennials in garden beds. They’re easy to grow and require minimal maintenance, making them ideal for both novice and experienced gardeners.
The Casa Blanca lily is unrivaled for sheer wow factor, producing enormous star-shaped white flowers on stems up to 4 feet tall. These lilies are particularly stunning in moonlight gardens, where their delicate blooms appear to glow.
Key features:
Casa Blanca lilies are prized for their exceptional vigor, pure white blooms, and intoxicating fragrance. They make excellent cut flowers and are a favorite among gardeners for their reliability and beauty.
Despite being introduced nearly 40 years ago, the Stargazer lily remains one of the most widely grown lilies. Its popularity is due to its stunning mix of crimson, purple, and white petals adorned with bright pink freckles.
Key features:
Stargazer lilies are known for their strong fragrance and sturdy stems. They’re relatively easy to grow, making them an excellent choice for beginners looking to add dramatic color and scent to their gardens.
Forever Susan lilies boast striking orange and burgundy hues that are sure to catch the eye. These lilies bloom profusely for an extended period and thrive in both full sun and partial shade.
Key features:
One of the earliest-blooming lilies, Forever Susan starts its show just as daffodils and tulips begin to fade, providing weeks of vibrant color in the garden.
The Silk Road lily is a robust, hardy plant that produces enormous, highly fragrant flowers over an extended period. With white blossoms featuring cherry-red throats on tall 4-6 foot stems, this lily is truly a garden showstopper.
Key features:
Silk Road lilies are prized for their alluring color scheme and potent fragrance. The tall stalks are laden with large flowers, creating a dramatic vertical accent in the garden.
It’s worth noting that not all flowers with lily-like characteristics are true lilies. Here are some plants that resemble lilies but belong to different families:
These plants can be excellent alternatives if you’re looking for lily-like flowers with different growing requirements or characteristics.
From the vibrant Asiatic lilies to the fragrant Oriental varieties, there’s a perfect lily for every garden. Whether you’re seeking a bold statement with a brightly colored Tiger lily or a serene atmosphere with a pure white Casa Blanca, lilies offer endless possibilities for enhancing your outdoor space.
Remember to consider factors like soil type, sunlight exposure, and available space when choosing lily bulbs for your garden. With proper care and attention, these beautiful flowers will reward you with years of stunning blooms and sweet fragrances.
We hope this guide has inspired you to explore the wonderful world of lilies and perhaps try growing some new varieties in your garden. Happy planting!
Do you have a favorite lily variety that wasn’t mentioned here? Share your experiences and photos in the comments below – we’d love to see the beautiful lilies growing in your garden!
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