Types of Lilies Based on Horticulture Division & Colors

“Flocks of swan lilies stretch towards the shore, In the sweetness, not in the music, they die” – John Greenleaf Whittie.

As the great American poet John Greenleaf said in the above lines, lilies are beautiful flowers that need no praise, because they are so beautiful and fragrant that they will catch everyone’s attention.

Not just in the United States, but anywhere in the world, lilies have spread their magic. From flower cuts to lawn borders, hundreds of hybrids have changed the way of traditional gardens and gift-giving to your loved ones.

We thought why not describe the flower today, which is known by almost everyone but few people know how many varieties it has. Today we will consider different types of lilies with their pictures. (Types of Lilies)

What is Lily Plant?

Before discussing the types of lily, open or closed, let’s find out what a lily is.

Lilies, well known by the genus name Liliam, are perennial summer flowering plants that grow either bulbous or seed and do not need to be removed and stored for the next season. They are known for the wide variety and pure beauty of flowers. (Types of Lilies)

Taxonomical Hierarchy of Lily Plants

Why do we need to classify Lilies?

The North American Lily Society (NALS) and the Royal Horticulture Society, UK (RHS) provide detailed and authentic information on the classification of lilies.

But how many lilies are there in the world?

As NALS describes, there are about 90 species of lilies in the genus Lilium. Besides appearance, each is slightly different regarding ease of growth, flowering time, need for sunlight, and more.

Also, the main factors that led us to divide the lily into several sections, the flower habitat – facing upwards, outwards or downwards; and flower shapes: trumpet-like, bowl-shaped, straight or curved. Because it is a little difficult to distinguish lilies from their leaves. This is why botanists also refer to this lily division as ‘Lily Flower Varieties’. (Types of Lilies)

Major Groups or Divisions

True lilies are divided into eight categories based on the common characteristics they share. You may be wondering why the word hybrid is used in every part of the lily.

Because each is obtained as a result of crossing two different lily plants. Lily hybrids can be either genetic, structural, numerical or permanent hybrids. However, we will discuss this in another blog as it is not the topic for today.

So, let’s take a quick look at the popular types of lilies and the different types of flower paintings. (Types of Lilies)

1. Asiatic Hybrids (Division 1)

Features: These are also called hardy lilies.

The species of Asian lilies are very numerous. They are easy to grow; earliest blooming; plant anywhere.

Flower Colors: white, pink, plum, yellow, orange and red

Flower Shape: Exterior, Cover, or Pendant; 6 leaves

Flowering Time: Early to midsummer

Fragrance: Almost No

Species: Lilium tigrinum, Lilium cernuum, Lilium davidii, Lilium maximowiczii, Lilium maculatum, Lilium x hollandicum, Lilium amabile, Lilium pumilum, Lilium concolor and Lilium bulbiferum.

Leaves: deciduous

Height: 8 inches to 4 feet

Origin: Asia, Europe and North America

Pros & Cons: Easy to grow, but weak in fragrance.

Toxic: Yes, at low intensity

Uses: As a fresh cut flower in beds and sunny borders

Growing Tips: Asian lily hybrids grow best in full sunlight. Be sure to plant the bulbs 8 inches deep and leave 4-6 inches of space for them to spread. keep away from deer. (Types of Lilies)

2. Martagon Hybrids (Division 2)

Characteristics: Also called Turk’s hat, these early blooming flowers are the most unique ever to grow in cool weather. Most shade tolerant (to almost full shade), long spikes of many small flowers. become much more popular. Expensive.

Flower Colors: Yellow, white, pink, lavender, light orange, deep crimson

Flower Shape: Downward facing; funnel-shaped; Leaves curling away from the stamens; peculiar freckles and spots on the leaves; Looks like an inverted umbrella

Flowering Time: June-August

Fragrance: Yes

Species: Liliam Martagon, Liliam hansonii, Liliam medeoloides and Liliam tsingtauense

Leaves: alternately whore

Height: 4-6 feet

Origin: Japan

Pros & Cons: Martagon hybrids take up to a year to adapt to new gardens. They do not grow well in hot and humid climates. But the cup-shaped flowers are unique and look like a table lamp.

Toxic: Yes, less severe

Uses: For ornamental purposes, as a cut flower

Growing Tips: The required condition for lilies under Martagon hybrids is full sun to partial shade, soil with a PH of less than 6 and spacing 12 inches to 3 feet horizontally. Remember to mulch the plant for at least the first year. The bulb should be planted 4 inches deep. The best thing to do is to mark the location after placing the bulb and leave it for a year. Don’t dig and see if it sprouts, because that will set it back another year. (Types of Lilies)

3. Candidum Hybrids (Division 3)

Characteristics: Also called Euro-Caucasian hybrids, they are mainly derived from European species. There are very few varieties of species under this section.

Flower Colors: White

Flower Shape: Funnel-shaped; facing upwards; Edges slightly curved

Flowering Time: Late Spring to Early Summer

fragrance: yes

Species: Liliam candidum, Liliam chalcedonicum, Liliam monadelphum, Lilium kesselringianum, Lilium pomponium, Lilium pyrenaicum

Leaves: Thin

Height: 3-4 feet

Origin: Balkan and Eastern Mediterranean

Pros and Cons: Limited assortment. The good thing is, there are types of white flowers, which is the most popular color in flowers. It also attracts butterflies.

One of the reasons why myrtle is an indispensable flower in marriages is its white color.

Toxic: yes, low severity

Uses: Widely used in beds, as exhibition bulbs and in rock gardens.

Growing Tips: Make sure the bulbs are planted 1 inch deep into the soil and 4-6 inches apart. The soil should have good drainage with moisture retention properties. And leave up to 12 inches of space around it. And full PM sun is required. (Types of Lilies)

4. American Hybrids (Division 4)

Features: It is called American because it is native to North America. It is wild but difficult to grow in the garden. Different types of lilies of Florida fall under this category.

Species: In the eastern states, Liliam canadense, Liliam superbum and Liliam philadelphicum. michiganense in the middle states; Liliam columbianum and Liliam pardalinum on the West Coast; and in the southern states Liliam grayi, Liliam michauxii, Liliam catesbaei, and Liliam iridollae

Flower Colors: Each flower is a combination of two colors, a base color and speckles of another color. The color of these spots is the same as that of the anthers.

Flower Shape: Downward-facing, the petals are fully curved upright and the stamens drooping.

Flowering Time: Late June or early July (May to June in Philadelphia)

fragrance: yes

Leaves: densely distributed in pseudo-helices; widely spread

Height: 3-6 feet

Origin: North American countries

Pros & Cons: Difficult to grow in the garden. Make large clumps if they are not disturbed often. However, its seeds and bulbs are easy to find, as they are all over the United States.

Toxic: yes, a little (bad for cats, like cherries for them)

Uses: Ornamental and medicinal. Tiger lily bulb is famous for curing heart-related diseases and aches. It is widely used for cough and sore throat in Korea.

Growing Tips: Plant these bulbs 5 inches deep with a drill planter in cooler, lighter soil. It grows well if planted in summer. The favorable environment for American hybrid lilies includes sandy soils, meadows and wood clearings. (Types of Lilies)

5. Longiflorum Hybrid (Division 5)

Features: These hybrids are derived from Liliam longiflorum and Liliam formosanum and are commonly known as Easter lilies or white lilies. Common names are Ester lily and White Trumpet Lily. (Types of Lilies)

Species: Liliam longiflorum

Flower Colors: White

Flower Shape: Large, bright white; facing sideways

Flowering Time: Midsummer

Fragrance: Yes, very sweet fragrance

Leaves: 5-8 inches long and dark green in color

Height: 3 feet

Origin: Taiwan and Japan

Pros & Cons: Easily grown from seeds and tolerates hot and humid weather in southern states; however, they cannot withstand severe cold weather in the northern states.

Toxic: Yes, a little; dangerous for cats

Usage Areas: Ornamental; used on Easter

Growing Tips: Longiflorum grows well in cool soil, which means a shade under their feet from low-growing plants like Ferns. Maximum 6-8 hours of sunlight per day with well-drained soil and regular watering so that the soil does not dry out in summer. As a preventative measure always wear gloves, preferably gardening gloves with claws. (Types of Lilies)

6. Trumpet and Aurelian Hybrids (Division 6)

Characteristics: It would not be wrong to call it the true representative of lilies due to its trumpet shape. They are tall, calm, majestic. Aurelians in this group are very hardy as they are derived from a combination of Trumpet lilies and Liliam henry. (Types of Lilies)

Flower Colors: Pure white, pink, bright gold, yellow, apricot, chartreuse, plum, brown, purple, iridescent green.

Flower Shape: Like Trumpet

Flowering Time: July-August; Aurelian blooms earlier than Trumpets.

Fragrance: Yes

Species: Lilium luecanthum, Lilium regale, Lilium sargentiae, Lilium sulphureum and Lilium henryi

Leaves: Thin and long

Height: 4-6

Origin: Unknown

Pros & Cons: Easy to grow; It is also easier to grow from seeds;

Toxic: Yes,

Uses: Ornamental

Growing Tips: Trumpet Planting Aurelian hybrids are very similar to growing other lilies.

Plant the bulbs in the fall or spring in neutral, well-drained soil. You can add some compost or sandy material to make the soil fertile. Plant the bulbs 4-6 inches apart and 8 inches deep into the soil.

Add either a 5-10-10 or a 10-10-10 balanced fertilizer, but do not add it directly to the bulb as it can damage the bulb. (Types of Lilies)

7. Oriental Hybrids (Division 7)

Features: These are also called fragrant lilies. (Types of Lilies)

These are beautiful and fragrant flowers with much longer and larger flowers. Lilies under this group are often called Stargazers.

Species: Liliam auratum, Liliam speciosum, Liliam nobilissimum, Liliam rubellum, Liliam alexandrae and Liliam japonicum

Flower Colors: White; Multicolored with White, Pink and Purplish-red as vowels

Flower Shape: Extroverted

Flowering Time: Late Summer

Fragrance: Yes

Leaves: wider than others

Height: 2-5 feet

Origin: Japan and Korea

Pros & Cons: Difficult to grow; some people complain of the strange smell of Stargazers that causes headaches and nausea.

Toxic: Yes, toxic to cats

Uses: As a cut flower

Breeding Tips: It is recommended to give eastern hybrids plenty of water. And what it needs is soil with a high pH value. Also, mulch to keep the roots cool. (Types of Lilies)

8. Interdivisional Hybrids (Division 8)

Features: These amazing interspecies hybrids are relatively new as they are derived through scientific technologies, including embryo rescue, cutting-style pollination and other methods. (Types of Lilies)

In other words, these hybrids result from a cross between lilies from one division and a lily from another division mentioned above. For example, crossing the Longiflorum hybrid with an Asian hybrid will produce an LA hybrid; With Trumpet, Oriental will do an OT hybrid, etc.

Genres: Black Beauty (OT hybrid), Leslie Woodriff,’ ‘Scheherazade’ and ‘Starburst Sensation’.

Flower Colors: Depends on cross hybrids

Flower Shape: Large; Shape depends on parent hybrid

Bloom Time: Depends on crossing hybrids

Fragrance: Yes

Leaves: Depends on cross hybrids

Height: Depends on cross hybrids; Balck Beauty 7-9 feet

Origin: No specific country

Normal Color: Depends on cross hybrids

Pros & Cons: more variety, beauty, more stamina and less disease

poisonous: NA

Uses: Ornamental

Growing Tips: Plant in areas where strong winds cannot damage the plant. Requires partial to full sun with plenty of water in summer. Always use a water spray gun or shower for irrigation.

In winter, soil with a pH above 6.0 should be highly drained. Ferns can be good companions, thanks to their short stature, which keeps the roots of hybrids cool. (Types of Lilies)

9. Species (Division 9)

This group has all the lilies originally found in the wild. In other words, the eight groups or divisions described above are the result of crossing between wild species categorized under this chapter. This is why all the above eight divisions are called hybrids. (Types of Lilies)

Native lilies can be found in North America, Europe, and a few Asian countries such as India, Burma, China, and Japan.

Many people like to breed these types as they have a unique grace and charm.

Types of Lilies Based on Colors

Now you have taken a detailed look at the lily varieties; It’s time to look at them from another angle.

Why? Because more than 100 species cannot be remembered by name. We remember flowers most with their colors. So, let’s take a look at the best color-related lilies in the United States. (Types of Lilies)

10. White Lilies

Lily Name	Scientific Name	Division or Group
Easter Lilly (large white lilies)	Lilium longiflorum	Longiflorum
Regale/Royal	Lilium regale	Species
Madonna Lily	Lilium candidum	Candidum
Lady Alice	Lilium lady alice	Trumpet/Aurelian
Casablanca	Lilium ‘Casa Blanca’	Oriental

11. Pink Lilies

Lily Name	Scientific Name	Division or Group
Nodding Lily	Lilium cernuum	NA
Stargazer	Lilium ‘Stargazer’	Oriental
Lollypop	Liliam Lollypop	Asiatic
Starlight Express	Liliam starlight express	Oriental
Tom Pouce	Liliam Tom Pouce	Oriental
Silk Road	Liliam Silk Road aka friso	Interdivisional

12. Orange Lilies

Lily Name	Scientific Name	Division or Group
Tiger Lily	Lilium lancifolium	American
Michigan Lily	Lilium michiganense	American
Columbia Lily	Lilium columbianum	American
Fire Lily	Lilium bulbiferum	Species
Turk’s Cap	Lilium superbum	Martagon
African Queen	Liliam African Queen	Trumpet

13. Purple Lilies

Lily Name	Scientific Name	Division or Group
Martagon Lily	Lilium martagon	Martagon
Pink Perfection	Lilium Pink Perfection	Trumpet
Night Rider	Liliam Night Rider	Asiatic x Trumpet
Night Flyer	Liliam Night FLyer	Asiatic

14. Red Lilies

Lily Name	Scientific Name	Division or Group
Canada Lily	Lilium canadense	American
Gray’s Lily	Lilium grayi	American
Black Out	Lilium blackout	Asiatic

Did you know: Almost no lily can survive in extremely cold weather. 40-100°F is considered a good temperature for all lily species. I mean, there’s nothing like the Winter Lily that exists.

Plants Mistaken as Lilies (Flowers that look like lilies)

Just as some plants look like weeds, when in fact they are not, some plants have the word lily but do not botanically meet the definition of lily.

The plants below are often called lilies for their symbolic significance, but they are not true lilies because they do not belong to the genus Lilium. (Types of Lilies)

1. Calla Lily

It belongs to the genus Zantedeschia. There are six types of calla lilies. (Types of Lilies)

2. Lily Of The Valley.

Also called Tears of Lady or Mary. Extremely poisonous but fragrant. (Types of Lilies)

3. Flame Lilies.

Lilly, also called Gloriosa or fever, is dangerously poisonous. (Types of Lilies)

4. Daylilies.

As the name suggests, it opens in the morning and fades the next night. There are many types of daylilies today. (Types of Lilies)

5. Water Lilies.

These flowers float on the water surface, although they are rooted in the soil under water.

Amaryllis. Also known as Jersy lily or Naked Lady (a poisonous flower).

From a completely different family, Amaryllidaceae. (Types of Lilies)

North American Lilly Society (NALS)

Seeing close to a hundred species of lilies and multiple colors in each pod, some people from North America decided to form a community just for them.

The club was founded in 1947 to increase interest in the Lilium genus. Members are not limited to the states of America, they have members all over the world.

The association also has a store where publications about lilies are sold. (Types of Lilies)

The main functions of NALS are:

Quarterly Bulletins

Members of this association enjoy a quarterly color bulletin that shares complete information about Lilium species, from seeding to hybridization. (Types of Lilies)

Seed Exchange

Members can exchange seeds of rare types of lilies and hybrids that would otherwise be impossible.

Annual Meeting

You must have heard of the Annual General Meeting of companies around the world. Surprisingly, this association also holds an annual meeting to discuss research on lilies and issues, if any. (Types of Lilies)

Lily Show

The lily show is at the core of this society, where all members come together in the summer to show the lily varieties grown. It’s also a great opportunity to meet like-minded people.

Conclusion

Too many lilies. Although classified into eight groups, most remain unclassified. Hybridization between different species resulted in newer and newer hybrids.

Trumpet-like and other beautiful flower shapes with unique color combinations make people make more crosses between different lily branches. Almost all types of lilies are poisonous to cats. So you better keep them away from your cat.

So, it’s time to go to your backyard and take a photo of the lily you already have and find out what type of lily plant it is. Or if you don’t have one, buy one and beautify your garden.

Also, don’t forget to pin/bookmark and visit our blog for more interesting but original information. (Vodka And Grape Juice)