Lilies are a popular choice for gardeners because they have stunning flowers and are easy to grow. However, with so many different types of lilies to choose from, it can be tough to decide which one is best for your garden. In this blog post, we will discuss some different types of lilies and provide helpful tips for selecting the perfect variety for your garden.

Left to right: Oriental Lily, Asiatic Lily and Oriental Trumpet Lily

Oriental Lilies

Oriental lilies are one of the most popular types of lilies due to their large, fragrant flowers and wide range of colours. They are known for their stunning blooms, which can be up to 25cm in diameter and come in shades of red, pink, white, and yellow. Oriental lilies are also highly regarded for their resistance to disease and pests, making them a low-maintenance option for any garden.

Oriental lilies prefer well-draining soil and partial shade, making them an ideal choice for planting in borders or containers. The flowers are heavily scented which some people enjoy but others would prefer to avoid. They are quite tall, ranging from 90-120cm, so require a bit of space to reach their full potential.

Asiatic Lilies

Asiatic lilies are usually the first lilies to flower, blooming in early Summer. They are known for their upward-facing flowers that come in a wide range of shades, including red, orange, yellow, pink, and white.

Asiatic lilies are more compact, averaging 60-90cm, making them a better choice for smaller spaces. They grow excellently in pots. They thrive in full sun but can also tolerate partial shade, making them a flexible choice for different garden settings. Additionally, Asiatic lilies are typically hardy and can withstand colder temperatures better than some other lily varieties. These lilies are fragrance free and have showy flowers, making them the preferred choice for flower arrangements.

Oriental-Trumpet Lilies

Also called OT lilies or Orienpets, these are a cross between Oriental Lilies and Trumpet Lilies. They have a strong fragrance like both their parents. They have relatively open flowers like the Oriental Lily and come in a wide array of colours and bi-colours.

OT Lilies tower much taller at 120-180cm like their Trumpet Lily parents. Due to their size, they need a bit of extra room in the garden. They are a good choice for cooler climates as they can withstand colder temperatures better than some other lily varieties.

Tree Lilies

Tree lilies, as their name suggests, are tall and majestic lilies that can grow up to 240cm tall. They are also a hybrid of the Oriental Lily and Trumpet Lily varieties and are known for their large, fragrant flowers that bloom in mid to late Summer. Tree lilies come in a wide range of colours, including pink, red, white, and yellow, and are often used to create a dramatic focal point in the garden.

When choosing a tree lily, it is essential to consider the size of your garden and the location in which you plan to plant it. Tree lilies require plenty of space and should be planted in a sunny location with well-draining soil. It is also important to choose a variety that is suitable for your climate, as tree lilies are not frost tolerant and may require additional protection during the Winter months.

Left to right: Tiger Lily, Lilium Longiflorum and Turk's Cap Lily

Tiger Lily

Tiger lilies are a distinct and eye-catching variety of lilies. These lilies are renowned for their large, showy flowers with striking patterns. The petals feature deep orange or red hues adorned with dark spots, resembling the distinctive markings of a tiger, hence their name.

They are known for their resilience and can adapt to different soil types, including sandy, loamy, or clay soils. Tiger lilies prefer full sun to partial shade and typically bloom in mid to late Summer and grow to a height of 90-120cm. They spread more easily in the garden so you can grow them in pots if you prefer to keep them contained.

Lilium Longiflorum

Also known as the Christmas Lily as it has been bred to flower earlier to coincide with Christmas. These lilies are usually white and have trumpet-shaped, fragrant, flowers. It is an Oriental type of lily so will grow well in the same conditions.

Turk’s Cap Lily

Turk’s Cap Lilies are renowned for their stunning blooms, longevity and ease of growing. With tall strong stems that can produce 10-20 blooms per stem. Turks Caps will take a full sun position but will obtain greater height and better flower colour in part shade as they are more of a woodland type of plant.

The addition of lime to the soil may be required, but like all Liliums a well-drained compost-rich soil is essential. Turk’s Cap Liliums are best left to naturalise. An application of fertiliser each year in Spring will help to maximise the potential of these beautiful blooms.

Other Lilies

There are many plants with Lily in their name that aren’t true Liliums. Lily of the Valley, Ixia Corn Lily, Pineapple Lily, Storm Lily, Day Lily, Canna Lily, Calla Lily, Toad Lily, Water Lillies and more are not actually true Lilies! They all have gorgeous flowers but may require different growing conditions to lilies.

Mr Fothergill's stocks a large range of Lily varieties. As most grow from bulbs, this means they are only seasonally available, usually between June and September. Browse and shop our huge range of Lily varieties here.

Top left to right: Calla, Canna, lily of the valley. Bottom left to right: pineapple, storm and water lily

Lily Selector Guide