Different Types of Lilies

Blessed with delicate beauty, the lily is one of the most popular flowers. The word 'lily' in Chinese means "forever in love". The symbolism of the lily has philosophical and spiritual significance. Lilies are considered as symbols of purity, innocence and new life. Some lilies do not have fragrance while some have a quite strong one. Lilies grow best in temperate and Mediterranean regions. Lilies are available in a number of colors and varieties. They come in a multitude of bright colors such as yellow, pink, orange, and some subtle ones like whitish purple, cream and lilac. The two major types of lilies are Oriental and Asiatic. Oriental lilies bloom late in summer and are fragrant. Lilium Stargazer is one of the most common types of Oriental lilies. Asiatic lilies are hybrids, originating from the Asiatic species. They generally bloom in early summer.

Various Types of Lilies

Some of the common types of lilies are as follows:

• American hybrid: These lilies are found in the United States and Canada. They look like balloons and their petals are joined towards their back. They need a shady flower bed and well-drained soil to grow well.
• Martagon hybrid: These lilies are quite popular as garden plants. They grow very tall, and their face droops towards the ground. They come in different bright shades like reds, oranges, yellows and have pretty spots on them which resemble freckles.
• Asiatic hybrid: This type of lily is the earliest to bloom and can be easily grown. They are available in a wide range of colors including pink, red, yellow, white, plum and orange. These lilies do not have fragrance but are delightful to look at. They require a lot of sunshine to grow well and are great plants to grow in combination with other flowering plants.
• Candidum hybrid: These are a very rare variety of lilies. They are not widely used for commercial purposes and are mostly grown by people who have an affinity for rare floral horticulture. They are also termed as Madonna lilies.
• Trumpet and Aurelian hybrid: Trumpet lilies are large, waxy, trumpet-shaped flowers that have a pleasant fragrance. They are available in colors like bright gold, pink, yellow, apricot, plum and glistening white. These lilies come in a wide range of shapes and colors, but have the characteristic downward droop that gives them their name. Trumpets and Aurelians generally bloom in mid to late spring.
• Species lily: These are wild lilies that are native to Europe, America and Asia. They are excellent garden plants and can render charm and elegance to a garden.
• Goldband lily: This fragrant lily is known for its large size. It has white petals and a golden-yellow line that runs vertically through the center of each petal, thus rendering it its name.

To get a good idea of what each type of lily looks like, check out the picture strip given on the right. The pictures are in order in which they have been mentioned above.

Various types of lilies can be creatively used for bouquets and beautiful floral arrangements. Lilies are one of the most preferred wedding flowers as they offer a traditional touch to wedding decorations. Apart from their commercial use, lilies are also perfect for a just-like-that gift or to fill a beautiful vase in your living room.