Discover the vast and vibrant world of lilies, one of the most cherished and diverse flower groups among gardeners, landscapers and florists. This article will guide you through the myriad types of lilies, their unique characteristics and how to nurture them to full bloom. Uncover the sheer diversity of this floral genus, the enchantment of their aesthetics and their practical uses in gardens and homes. We’ll also clarify the difference between true lilies and lily-like flowers, highlight which lily types are best for cutting, and note which varieties are most fragrant.
Understanding Lily Varieties
Taxonomy of a Lily
Taxonomy is the science of classifying living things. In the classification of lily, lilies reside in the genus Lilium. There are roughly 90–100 lily species in the wild Lilium genus, while modern horticulture offers thousands of cultivated lily types. Understanding the taxonomy and classification of lily plants helps gardeners choose different types of lilies suited to their needs.
Etymology
Etymology is the study of the origins and history of words. Knowing the etymology of plant names can provide insights into their characteristics and uses.
Botanical Classifications
Lilies are classified within the Lilium genus and are further divided into several categories based on their characteristics and geographical origins. Here are some of the main botanical classifications of lilies, reflecting different kinds of lilies recognized by gardeners and the RHS/APS style groups: Asiatic, Martagon, Candidum, American, Longiflorum, Trumpet/Aurelian, Oriental, and interdivisional hybrids. These groupings help explain different type of lilies in gardens today.
Types of Lilies and Their Characteristics
The incredible diversity within the many types of lilies available to gardeners is a testament to the adaptability and allure of this floral genus. Below are popular lily types, covering different types of lilies often grown at home:
Asiatic Hybrids
Asiatic lilies are early-blooming lilium that typically flower from late spring into early summer, often right after peonies. Their blossoms span an impressive 5–6 inches, blooming in an array of colors, with numerous blooms featuring bicolor or speckled patterns. Easy to grow and excellent as cut flowers, they thrive in well-drained sandy or loamy soil with 6–8 hours of sun and vary widely in habit—with upward, outward, or downward-facing flowers, light fragrance, and heights from about 1 to 8 feet—so check each variety’s height and spread when planting bulbs in spring or fall, as they reliably return year after year.
- Botanical Name: Lilium asiatic
- Bloom Time: Early summer
- Hardiness Zones: 3–8
- Colors: Pink, orange, yellow, white, and bicolors
Martagon Hybrids
Martagon lilies have downward-facing, Turk’s-cap blooms. This lily species group excels in partial shade and adds drama to borders.
- Botanical Name: Lilium martagon
- Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
- Hardiness Zones: 3–7
- Colors: Shades of pink, purple and white
- Native Regions: Europe and Asia
Candidum Hybrids
Also known as Madonna lilies, they bear fragrant, trumpet-shaped white flowers and are early blooming among different kinds of lilies.
- Botanical Name: Lilium candidum
- Bloom Time: Early to midsummer
- Hardiness Zones: 4–8
- Colors: White
- Native Region: Mediterranean
American Hybrids
These represent different type of lilies derived from North American species, known for adaptability and naturalized charm.
- Botanical Names: Lilium canadense, L. philadelphicum, etc.
- Bloom Time: Early to midsummer
- Hardiness Zones: 3–9
- Colors: Yellow, orange and red
- Native Region: North America
Longiflorum Hybrids (Easter Lilies)
Longiflorum lilies have long, white trumpets and are a classic for cut flowers and bouquets. Among the types of lilies, these are iconic for spring holidays.
- Botanical Name: Lilium longiflorum
- Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
- Hardiness Zones: 5–9
- Colors: White
Trumpet Lilies
Majestic, trumpet-shaped lily blooms bring brilliant color and fragrance to summer gardens, rising on sturdy stems up to 6 ft tall and opening in shades of white, pink, orange, and more in mid to late summer. Easy to grow in sunny, well-drained sites, they dislike damp spots. They naturalize well, multiplying every year. Their multiple, strongly scented flowers also make excellent cut blooms.
- Botanical Name: Lilium trumpet hybrids
- Bloom Time: Mid to late summer
- Hardiness Zones: 3-8
- Colors: Yellow, pink, white, orange
Oriental Lilies
Renowned for their large, intensely fragrant blooms that perfume summer gardens and indoor spaces alike, Oriental lilies are prized for cutting, wedding bouquets, and evening scent, offering huge flowers up to 8 inches across in an array of colors—often speckled, double, or with starburst eyes. They bloom in mid to late summer (plant with Asiatic lilies to extend the season), thrive in well-drained clay, loam, or sand, prefer full sun to light shade (too much shade causes spindly, floppy stems) and vary widely in size from 2 to 8 feet tall, so check each variety’s height and spread.
- Botanical Name: Lilium oriental
- Bloom Time: Mid to late summer
- Hardiness Zones: 3-8
- Colors: Pink, white, red
Other and Interdivisional Hybrids
Crosses such as LA (Longiflorum × Asiatic) and OT (Oriental × Trumpet) combine traits of different types of lilies, expanding the classification of lily hybrids. LA hybrids often deliver sturdier stems, improved disease resistance, and earlier bloom times with broad, upward-facing flowers, while maintaining the clean elegance of Longiflorum parents. OT hybrids, sometimes called “Orienpets,” typically feature large, fragrant blooms with striking color gradients, taller stature, and better heat tolerance than pure Orientals. These interdivisional crosses broaden garden possibilities, offering enhanced performance, extended flowering periods, and palettes suitable for borders, cutting gardens, and containers.
True Lilies versus Lily-Like Flowers
True lilies are members of the genus Lilium. They grow from scaly bulbs, send up a single unbranched stem lined with leaves, and return year after year. Many other plants borrow “lily” in their common names but are not true lilies. Daylilies (Hemerocallis) grow from tuberous roots and form grassy clumps. Calla lilies (Zantedeschia) produce funnel-shaped spathes and grow from rhizomes rather than bulbs. Canna lilies (Canna) are tropical, rhizomatous plants that lack winter hardiness in colder regions. Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) is a perennial plant with sprays of white, bell-shaped flowers that bloom in the spring and grows from roots. While these look-alikes may be perennial in suitable climates, they do not belong to Lilium and are not true lilies.
Identifying Features and FAQs
Identifying different types of lilies involves noting flower shape, size, color and bloom time. Asiatic lilies are typically unscented, early, and colorful; Oriental and Trumpet lilies are powerfully fragrant and later blooming; Martagons have Turk’s-cap flowers.
- What are the different types of lilies? Common groups include Asiatic, Martagon, Candidum, American, Longiflorum, Trumpet/Aurelian, Oriental, and interdivisional hybrids—covering many lily types across gardens.
- How many species of lilies are there? Botanically, there are about 90–100 wild lily species in Lilium, while horticulture offers thousands of cultivated types of lilies.
- What is the difference between true lilies and lily-like flowers? True lilies are in the Lilium genus (bulbs with scaly segments). Lily-like plants such as daylilies (Hemerocallis) and peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) are not Lilium and fall outside the classification of lily species.
- Which lilies are best for cutting and bouquets? Asiatic, Longiflorum (Easter), LA hybrids, OT hybrids, and Oriental lilies have sturdy stems and good vase life, making these different types of lilies excellent for arrangements.
- What varieties of lilies are fragrant? Oriental, Trumpet/Aurelian, many OT hybrids, and Candidum are notably fragrant among different kinds of lilies.
Planting and Care Tips
Choose a sunny to lightly shaded site with well-drained, humus-rich soil. Plant bulbs 2–3 times their height deep and space according to mature size. Water to establish, fertilize in spring, and deadhead to strengthen bulbs. For a continuous display, mix early Asiatics with mid-season Longiflorum and late Oriental or Trumpet types, showcasing different type of lilies through summer.
Lilies are a diverse and captivating group, and understanding the classification of lily groups helps you select the right type of lilies for scent, cutting, or garden display. With abundant lily species in the wild and countless cultivated lily types, you’ll find different types of lilies to bring beauty and fragrance to your garden and home.