The Complete Guide To Lilies: From Garden Beauties To Cut Flowers
Lilies are a group of flowering plants which are important in both ornamental gardening and cultural symbolism. These stunning flowers have captivated gardeners and flower enthusiasts for centuries with their elegant blooms and intoxicating fragrances. Whether you're looking to enhance your garden landscape or create breathtaking floral arrangements, understanding the diverse world of lilies is essential for any plant lover.
From asiatic and oriental to easter lily flowers and more, the lily family offers an incredible variety of options for every garden style and preference. With proper planning and care, you can enjoy these magnificent blooms throughout the growing season by carefully blending early, midseason, and late varieties of lily into your garden design.
Understanding the Lily Family
Lily, genus of 80 to 100 species of herbaceous flowering plants of the family liliaceae, native to temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. These plants have evolved over millions of years to thrive in various climates, from woodland settings to open meadows. The lily family, also known as liliaceae, is a diverse group of plants that includes over 4,000 species, making it one of the most extensive plant families in the botanical world.
Many are prized ornamental plants and have been cultivated for their beauty, fragrance, and versatility in garden design. The lily family encompasses not only true lilies (Lilium species) but also related plants like tulips, hyacinths, and fritillaries. This vast collection of plants shares common characteristics, including their bulbous nature, strap-like leaves, and showy flowers that typically feature six petal-like segments.
Popular Lily Types and Their Characteristics
When exploring the world of lilies, it's essential to understand the different types available to gardeners. Learn about 40 different types of lilies and see beautiful pictures of them, too, to help you make informed decisions for your garden. Asiatic lilies are among the most popular choices for beginners due to their easy care requirements and wide range of colors. These lilies typically bloom in early to midsummer and come in virtually every color except true blue.
Oriental lilies, on the other hand, are known for their intense fragrance and large, dramatic blooms. These late-season bloomers are perfect for extending your lily display well into the fall. Trumpet lilies, with their distinctive trumpet-shaped flowers, offer another dimension of beauty and are particularly valued for their sweet, penetrating scent that can perfume an entire garden.
Growing and Caring for Lilies
If you're looking for the perfect lily to grow in your garden, this complete guide by a master gardener for the top 18 types of lilies is exactly what you need! Success with lilies starts with understanding their basic requirements. Most lilies prefer well-draining soil rich in organic matter, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Plant bulbs in the fall, about 6-8 inches deep and 8-12 inches apart, depending on the variety.
Proper watering is crucial for lily health. While they need consistent moisture during the growing season, it's important to avoid waterlogged conditions that can lead to bulb rot. Apply a layer of mulch to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Fertilize lilies in early spring with a balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth and abundant blooms.
Exploring Lily Divisions
Our tour though each lily division will introduce to some of the classic pure white lilies, as well as the more exotic and colorful varieties. The North American Lily Society recognizes nine divisions of garden lilies, each with distinct characteristics and growing requirements. Understanding these divisions can help you create a more diverse and interesting lily collection.
Division 1 includes Asiatic hybrids, which are known for their hardiness and wide color range. Division 2 encompasses Martagon hybrids, featuring downward-facing flowers with recurved petals. Division 3 contains Candidum hybrids, including the classic Madonna lily with its pure white, fragrant blooms. Each division offers unique characteristics that can enhance your garden design.
Fragrant Lilies for Cut Flowers
Fragrant lilies for cut flowers are particularly valued for their ability to fill indoor spaces with delightful scents. Oriental lilies, such as 'Stargazer' and 'Casablanca,' are among the most fragrant varieties and make excellent cut flowers. Their large, showy blooms can last up to two weeks in a vase when properly cared for.
When harvesting lilies for cut flowers, choose stems with buds that are just beginning to open. Cut early in the morning when temperatures are cool, and immediately place the stems in water. Remove the anthers to prevent pollen from staining the petals and surrounding surfaces. Change the water every few days and recut the stems to extend the life of your lily arrangements.
Quick Facts About Different Lily Types
Take a look at our quick facts to see what each type of lily has to offer. Asiatic lilies are the earliest bloomers and come in vibrant colors but lack fragrance. Oriental lilies bloom later and offer intense fragrance with large, impressive flowers. Trumpet lilies combine the best features of both, with fragrant blooms and good garden performance.
Tiger lilies (Lilium lancifolium) are distinctive for their downward-facing flowers with dark spots and recurved petals. These hardy plants multiply readily and can naturalize in suitable garden conditions. Easter lilies (Lilium longiflorum) are popular holiday plants that can be transplanted outdoors after blooming, where they will return year after year in suitable climates.
Selecting the Right Lilies for Your Garden
Discover the stunning beauty of different types of lilies by considering your specific garden conditions and design goals. For small gardens or container growing, dwarf Asiatic hybrids offer compact growth and abundant blooms. If you're looking to create a moon garden with white flowers that glow in the evening light, consider pure white Oriental lilies like 'Casa Blanca' or 'Trudy Riley.'
For naturalizing in woodland settings, Martagon lilies are excellent choices. These shade-tolerant plants produce multiple hanging flowers per stem and come in colors ranging from white to deep maroon. When planning your lily garden, consider bloom times, heights, and color combinations to create a succession of flowers throughout the growing season.
Unique Lily Species and Hybrids
From oriental hybrids to unique lily species, learn about the diverse world of lily varieties. Species lilies, which are wild plants found in nature, offer unique characteristics not found in hybrid varieties. Lilium regale, the regal lily, features trumpet-shaped white flowers with a yellow throat and intense fragrance. This species is easy to grow and makes an excellent addition to any garden.
Lilium speciosum, native to Japan, produces stunning pink or white flowers with recurved petals and a delightful fragrance. These late-blooming lilies extend the lily season well into autumn. Lilium auratum, the gold-band lily, is another Japanese species prized for its large white flowers with a distinctive gold stripe down the center of each petal.
Cultural Significance and Symbolism
Lilies, botanically known as lilium, are flowering plants that belong to the family liliaceae. They are native to the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, including Europe, North America, and Asia. Throughout history, lilies have held significant cultural and symbolic meaning in various societies. In ancient Greece, lilies were associated with the goddess Hera and symbolized purity and motherhood.
In Christian tradition, the Madonna lily represents the Virgin Mary's purity and is often depicted in religious art. The fleur-de-lis, a stylized lily, has been used as a symbol of French royalty and is still used in heraldry today. In Chinese culture, lilies symbolize good luck and abundance, making them popular choices for celebrations and gift-giving.
Modern Uses and Applications
Lilies are a group of flowering plants which are important in modern horticulture, floristry, and even medicine. Beyond their ornamental value, some lily species have been used in traditional medicine for various purposes. The Madonna lily, for instance, has been used in skincare preparations for its soothing and healing properties.
In the floral industry, lilies are among the most popular cut flowers, prized for their long vase life and dramatic appearance. They are commonly used in wedding bouquets, funeral arrangements, and other special occasion floral designs. The lily's versatility and beauty continue to make it a favorite among professional florists and home gardeners alike.
Conclusion
The world of lilies offers endless possibilities for gardeners, flower enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates natural beauty. From the classic Easter lily to exotic species from around the world, these remarkable plants continue to captivate us with their diverse forms, colors, and fragrances. By understanding the different types of lilies and their specific growing requirements, you can create a stunning lily garden that provides beauty and enjoyment for years to come.
Whether you're a beginner gardener or an experienced horticulturist, there's always something new to discover in the fascinating world of lilies. With proper care and attention, these magnificent flowers will reward you with spectacular blooms and possibly become a lifelong passion. Start your lily journey today by selecting varieties that suit your climate and garden style, and prepare to be amazed by the incredible diversity and beauty these plants have to offer.
