The Different Types of Lillies

Tiger Lilies belong to the Asiatic hybrids type.

When looking for a flower that provides colorful blooms practically year-round, look no further than the lily. Lilies belong to the genus Lilium, and offer a wide selection of colors and seasons that they will flower. These true perennial plants never undergo a dormant state, and because they grow from bulbs, they offer easy propagation.

Asiatic Hybrids

Named for their Asian parentage, this type holds the largest variety of colors. These lilies serve as a good choice for beginners since they take well almost anywhere. These lilies do not emit much scent, but tend to bloom early in the season.

Martagon Hybrids

This type of lily usually sports speckles on the blooms that face down. These tall lilies bloom early in the season and do well in shady areas.

Candidium Hybrids

Among the rarest of the lilies, candidium hybrids derive their name from Lillium candidium and Lilium monadelphum. These lilies prove to be hard to find commercially.

American Hybrids

American hybrids grow almost exclusively in North America, and prove to be challenging anywhere else. Classified by their bloom with the petals that curve upwards and in, and also the unique scaled bulbs, these lilies grow best in light soil and light shade.

Longiflorum Hybrids

This type includes only a few hybrids classified by their trumpet shape and white color. They prove to be a challenge for even experienced gardeners.

Trumpet and Aurelian Hybrids

As the name implies, these lilies show off a trumpet shape flower. They emit fragrance more so than other types, and grow tall enough to require staking them for support. This type mostly blooms in the mid to late season and require mulching for protection during cold weather.

Oriental Hybrids

Unlike the Asiatic hybrids, these lilies parent strains come from farther east. This type does not hold up well in areas with a hot summer and require partial shade and regular watering. These lilies offer large flowers with a rich fragrance and taut the moniker of "Stargazers".

Miscellaneous Hybrids

The miscellaneous types hold crosses between the other types. These hybrids bred for the most desirable characteristics of the other types offer the best of all worlds by doing well all year round in most soil conditions, and also offer interesting shapes and brilliant colors.

Species

This category holds only true strains of wild lilies, as they would appear in nature. These lilies prove to be challenging when growing a type that is not native to the area.

References

• North American Lily Society: Types of Lilies

Resources

• North American Lily Society: Home