Lilies are beloved ornamental plants that have captivated flower enthusiasts for centuries. With over 2,000 different types to choose from, lilies offer a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes. From their large and elegant blooms to their diverse varieties, lilies are a stunning addition to any garden or balcony.
The 10 Most Beautiful Lily Species and Varieties
Oriental and Asiatic hybrids are some of the most popular lilies due to their vibrant colors and eye-catching blooms. Here are a few stunning lily species, varieties, and hybrids to consider:
1. Oriental Hybrids
Oriental lilies are known for their intense fragrance and stunning appearance. These varieties make wonderful cut flowers and are perfect for arrangements and bouquets. Here are some notable Oriental hybrids:
- ‘Casa Blanca’: This variety features white flowers with striking red stamens. It grows up to 1m tall and thrives in sunny to semi-shady locations. Hardy and suitable for growing in pots, it blooms from August to September.
- ‘Muscadet’: With white flowers adorned with pink speckles and slightly ruffled petals, ‘Muscadet’ is a charming choice. It is hardy to -15 °C and prefers a semi-shady location. Expect it to bloom from July to August.
- ‘Stargazer’: Showcasing speckled pink flowers with white edges, ‘Stargazer’ is a real showstopper. It grows up to 1m tall and is suitable for growing in pots. This variety blooms from July to August.
- ‘Tiger Woods’: ‘Tiger Woods’ boasts white flowers with light maroon midribs and speckles. It thrives in sunny locations and blooms from July to August.
- ‘Roselily Carolina’: This variety features double-petalled white flowers with yellow midribs. It grows up to 1m tall and prefers a sunny location. ‘Roselily Carolina’ is also suitable for growing in pots and blooms from July to August.
- ‘Big Brother’: With extra-large white or yellow flowers, ‘Big Brother’ is an impressive choice. It reaches a height of about 90cm and thrives in full sun and dry locations. Expect it to bloom from August to September.
- ‘Gold Band’: ‘Gold Band’ showcases white flowers with yellow midribs and orange speckles. It grows to a height of about 90cm and prefers full sun and dry locations. Bloom time is from August to September.
- ‘Blushing Girl’: Known for its white or light pink double flowers with yellow midribs, ‘Blushing Girl’ reaches a height of about 80cm. It thrives in full sun and dry locations.
- ‘Exotic Sun’: ‘Exotic Sun’ features bright yellow double flowers with slightly ruffled edges. It grows up to 1m tall and prefers a semi-shady to shady location.
- ‘Montego Bay’: ‘Montego Bay’ showcases orange-yellow flowers with red midribs. It grows over 1m tall and thrives in a partially shady location. Bloom time is from July to August.
- ‘Extravaganza’: With white flowers and pink speckles, ‘Extravaganza’ is a delightful choice. It reaches a height of about 90cm and prefers full sun and dry locations. Bloom time is from August to September.
- ‘Dizzy’: ‘Dizzy’ features white flowers with pink midribs and speckles. It grows over 1m tall and thrives in both sunny and semi-shady locations.
- ‘Pimento’: ‘Pimento’ offers white, pink, or purple flowers with slightly ruffled edges. It grows up to 75cm tall, is hardy to -15 °C, and prefers a semi-shady location. Expect it to bloom from July to August.
- ‘Josephine’: Sporting pastel pink flowers with white midribs, ‘Josephine’ is a lovely choice. It is hardy down to -15 °C and prefers a semi-shady location. Bloom time is from July to August.
- ‘Magic Star’: ‘Magic Star’ showcases white double flowers with pink midribs. It grows over 1m tall and thrives in both sunny and semi-shady locations.
2. Asiatic Hybrids
Asiatic lilies and their hybrids come in various shapes, including star-shaped and upward-facing blooms. These hybrids are easy to care for and bloom primarily in July. Consider these beautiful Asiatic hybrids:
- ‘Purple Eye’: Featuring dark purple star-shaped flowers with pink tips, ‘Purple Eye’ grows up to 1m tall. Bloom time is from July to August.
- ‘Orange’: With bright orange star-shaped flowers, ‘Orange’ thrives in full sun and dry locations. Expect it to bloom in July.
- ‘Strawberry and Cream’: ‘Strawberry and Cream’ showcases light pink star-shaped flowers with burgundy centers. It blooms in July.
- ‘Whistler’: ‘Whistler’ offers salmon-colored star-shaped flowers with burgundy centers. It thrives in full sun and dry locations and blooms in July.
- ‘Cinnabar’: ‘Cinnabar’ features orange-red star-shaped flowers with brown speckles. It grows up to 80cm tall.
- ‘Tiny Ghost’: ‘Tiny Ghost’ boasts numerous crimson star-shaped flowers. It reaches a height of about 35cm and blooms in July.
- ‘Enchantment’: With orange star- or cup-shaped flowers with black speckles, ‘Enchantment’ grows to a height of about 1m. Bloom time is in June.
- ‘Fire King’: ‘Fire King’ showcases red to orange flowers that grow facing outwards. It grows over 1m tall.
- ‘Nutmegger’: ‘Nutmegger’ features downward-facing lemon yellow flowers with brown speckles. It grows over 1m tall and blooms in July.
- ‘Annemarie’s Dream’: This variety offers white double flowers. It grows up to 1m tall and thrives in sunny locations. Bloom time is from May to August.
3. Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium)
Tiger lilies are hardy and adaptable lilies that produce brightly-colored and highly-speckled flowers. They thrive in various light conditions, including full sun, partial shade, and even full shade. Here are a few noteworthy tiger lily varieties:
- ‘FlorePleno’: This variety features orange double flowers covered with brown speckles. It grows over 1m tall and blooms from July to August.
- ‘Splendens’: ‘Splendens’ showcases orange to peach-colored flowers with brown speckles. It blooms from July to September.
- ‘Pink Flavour’: With flamingo-pink flowers, ‘Pink Flavour’ boasts golden-yellow centers and dark speckles. Expect it to bloom from July to September.
- ‘Salmon Tiger’: ‘Salmon Tiger’ offers white and salmon-colored flowers with speckles.
- ‘Tiger White’: ‘Tiger White’ showcases white flowers with brown speckles.
- ‘Double Sensation’: ‘Double Sensation’ features berry-red double flowers with white centers.
4. Turk’s Cap Lily (Lilium martagon)
Turk’s cap lilies, also known as martagon lilies, have unique, downward-hanging flowers with curled back petals resembling a turban. These lilies grow up to 2m tall and bloom from June to August. With their delightful scent, Turk’s cap lilies are a great addition to rock gardens. Consider these Turk’s cap lily varieties:
- ‘Album’: This variety offers pure white flowers.
- ‘Pink Morning’: ‘Pink Morning’ showcases light pink flowers with purple speckles.
- ‘Orange Jam’: ‘Orange Jam’ features orange flowers with narrow petals.
- ‘Maroon King’: ‘Maroon King’ boasts maroon flowers with orange speckles and edges.
- ‘Guinea Gold’: ‘Guinea Gold’ offers yellow flowers with red speckles and white midribs.
- ‘Manitoba Morning’: This variety showcases pink flowers with brown and yellow speckles.
- ‘Terrace City’: ‘Terrace City’ features yellow flowers with orange speckles and light-pink sepals.
- ‘Peppard Gold’: ‘Peppard Gold’ offers yellow and orange flowers with dark speckles.
5. Regal Lily (Lilium regale)
Regal lilies, also known as royal lilies or king’s lilies, offer trumpet-shaped flowers with slightly curved petals. While wild regal lilies are white, crossbreeding has introduced many new colors to this lily species. These lilies can reach up to 1.5m tall. Consider these regal lily varieties:
- ‘African Queen’: This variety boasts orange flowers with purple sepals.
- ‘Golden Splendour’: ‘Golden Splendour’ showcases large yellow flowers with red sepals.
- ‘Lady Alice’: ‘Lady Alice’ offers white or yellow flowers with orange centers and speckles.
- ‘Pink Perfection’: ‘Pink Perfection’ features purple or pink flowers.
- ‘Regular Album’: This variety offers white flowers with yellow centers.
- ‘Casa Rosa’: ‘Casa Rosa’ showcases light pink flowers with darker centers.
- ‘White Heaven’: ‘White Heaven’ boasts white flowers with slightly yellow or green centers.
- ‘Lankon’: ‘Lankon’ offers white flowers with purple speckles.
- ‘Triumphator’: ‘Triumphator’ showcases white flowers with dark-pink centers.
- ‘Royal Gold’: ‘Royal Gold’ boasts bright yellow flowers with purple sepals.
6. Fire Lily (Lilium bulbiferum)
Fire lilies, also known as orange lilies, St. John’s lilies, or Jimmy’s Bane, are European species with upright umbels of orange and/or red flowers with brown speckles. They typically bloom between May and July. Unlike other lily species, fire lilies form secondary bulbs in their leaf axils.
7. Madonna Lily (Lilium candidum)
Madonna lilies are elegant, pure white flowers with a delightful fragrance. Native to the wild, these lilies can reach up to 1m tall. They bloom from May to September and symbolize chastity in Catholicism.
8. Goldband Lily (Lilium auratum)
Goldband lilies, also known as golden-rayed lilies, are native to Japan and grow up to 2.5m tall. These lilies have large white flowers with yellow midribs and red or brown speckles. They bloom from August to September and are known for their delightful fragrance. Goldband lilies have a lifespan of 3 to 4 years.
9. Showy Lily (Lilium speciosum)
Showy lilies feature small flowers with backward-curving petals. These lilies prefer sunny locations and bloom from August to September. Consider these showy lily varieties:
- ‘Rubrum’: ‘Rubrum’ offers pink flowers with dark pink speckles and light pink edges.
- ‘Album’: This variety showcases white flowers with red anthers.
- ‘Uchida’: ‘Uchida’ features light pink flowers with dark pink midribs and speckles.
10. Easter Lily (Lilium longiflorum)
Easter lilies bloom from May to June and produce strongly scented, trumpet-shaped flowers facing outward. Apart from a touch of green at the base, Easter lilies are known for their pure white flowers. These lilies thrive in calcareous soils. Consider these Easter lily varieties:
- ‘Nellie White’: This variety offers white flowers with light yellow centers.
- ‘Deliana’: ‘Deliana’ showcases light yellow flowers.
- ‘Elegant Lady’: ‘Elegant Lady’ features light pink flowers.
- ‘Triumphator’: ‘Triumphator’ boasts white flowers with dark pink centers.
- ‘White Elegance’: ‘White Elegance’ offers numerous white flowers.
Hardy Lilies
While lilies are often associated with tropical regions, many lily species are native to temperate climates and can tolerate harsh winters. Asiatic lilies are typically advertised as hardy and are known for their star-shaped flowers. These lilies prefer a sunny to semi-shady location with nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Here are some hardy lily varieties to consider:
- ‘Monte Negro’: This early blooming variety features dark red or orange flowers.
- ‘Netty’s Pride’: ‘Netty’s Pride’ showcases dark maroon flowers with white tips.
- ‘Grand Cru’: ‘Grand Cru’ offers bright yellow flowers with dark orange centers.
- ‘Mapira’: ‘Mapira’ features dark maroon flowers.
- ‘Yellow County’: ‘Yellow County’ boasts bright yellow flowers.
- ‘Kushi Maya’: This variety offers white flowers with wine-red centers.
- ‘Forever Susan’: ‘Forever Susan’ showcases dark purple flowers with orange tips and edges.
- ‘Spring Pink’: ‘Spring Pink’ features light pink flowers.
- ‘Cancun’: ‘Cancun’ offers yellow flowers with orange-red tips and edges.
Other lily species that can survive the cold months with proper winter protection include:
- Tree Lily: Large fragrant hybrids that bloom from June to August. Some popular varieties include ‘Anastasia’, ‘Honeymoon’, ‘Lavon’, ‘On Stage’, and ‘Boogie Woogie’.
- Panther Lily (Lilium pardalinum): This American variety boasts yellow, orange, and red flowers with brown speckles. It blooms in August.
- Canada Lily (Lilium canadense): Native to North America, Canada lilies bloom in June and July with yellow, orange, or red flowers. They require lime-free soil.
- Lilium oriental: Hardy hybrids known for their fragrant flowers. Popular varieties include ‘Casa Blanca’, ‘Josephine’, ‘Muscadet’, and ‘Pimento’.
- Turk’s Cap Lily (Lilium martagon; Lilium cernuum): These lilies feature delicately scented flowers with a turban-like shape. Hardy varieties include ‘Manitoba Morning’, ‘Orange Jam’, and ‘Guinea Gold’.
- Fire Lily (Lilium bulbiferum): Typically bearing orange flowers with brown speckles, fire lilies thrive in sunny locations with slightly calcareous soil.
- Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium): Known for their richly-speckled hanging flowers with backward-curving petals.
- Madonna Lily (Lilium candidum): Native to the Balkans, Madonna lilies produce beautiful white flowers. They require some winter protection and prefer sunny locations with loose, calcareous soil.
- Goldband Lily (Lilium auratum): Native to Japan, these lilies grow several large fragrant flowers on a single stem. They require light winter protection and thrive in cool and moist locations. Some hardy varieties include ‘Cupido’, ‘Sphinx’, and ‘Nobility’.
Potted Lilies
Many small lily varieties are suitable for growing in pots, making them perfect for balconies or even indoor spaces. Oriental lilies and their hybrids tend to do well in pots. Here are a few varieties that thrive in containers:
- ‘Apricot Fudge’: This variety offers round apricot-colored flowers. It grows up to 80cm tall and blooms from June to July.
- ‘Avignon’: ‘Avignon’ showcases scarlet-red flowers. It grows up to 60cm tall and blooms from May to July.
- ‘Conca d’Or’: With large yellow flowers and white edges, ‘Conca d’Or’ reaches a height of up to 1m. Expect it to bloom from July to August.
- ‘Corsage’: ‘Corsage’ features pink and yellow petals with purple speckles. It grows up to 60cm tall and blooms from June to July.
- ‘Eyeliner’: ‘Eyeliner’ offers white flowers with purple speckles and thin purple edges. It reaches a height of up to 60cm and blooms from June to July.
- ‘Hotline’: This variety showcases white lilies with bright pink edges. It grows up to 1m tall and blooms from August to September.
- ‘Le Reve’: ‘Le Reve’ features bright pink flowers with pink speckles and yellow centers. It reaches a height of up to 80cm and blooms from July to August.
- ‘Marco Polo’: ‘Marco Polo’ offers light pink flowers with white centers. It grows up to 1.5m tall and blooms from July to August.
- ‘Mona Lisa’: ‘Mona Lisa’ boasts fragrant, light pink flowers with dark pink midribs and white edges. It grows up to 90cm tall and blooms from May to September.
- Goldband Lilies (Lilium auratum): These lilies offer white flowers with yellow midribs and red speckles. They grow up to 1m tall and bloom from July to August.
Lilies are generally low-maintenance plants, but proper care will ensure they thrive. Check out our article on caring for lilies for more information and helpful tips.