Lilies are prized for their fragrant blooms and often giant, trumpet-shaped flowers. Lily bulbs are planted in containers and flower borders, and lily plants make the perfect summer flowers to add colour and cheer to the garden.
There are two main types of lily to grow: Oriental lily and Asiatic lily. Oriental lilies typically have large, fragrant pink flowers. They thrive in acid soils and so should be grown in containers of ericaceous compost. Asiatic lilies have a greater variety of colours including yellow, orange, red and almost-black, but theyre not scented and tend to be smaller than Oriental types. However they thrive in alkaline soil and are extremely hardy, so are easier to grow – simply plant the bulbs in the garden or in pots of peat-free multi-purpose compost.
Lilies are popular bulbs that add height, fragrance and vivid colors to gardens. Two of the most commonly grown types are Asiatic lilies and Oriental lilies. While they look quite similar at first glance, there are some notable differences between these two classic garden plants.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into comparing Asiatic vs Oriental lilies. We’ll cover everything from bloom times to flower sizes so you can easily tell them apart.
A Quick Overview of Asiatic and Oriental Lilies
Let’s start with a brief introduction to set the stage:
Asiatic lilies are native to Asia and were first introduced to Europe in the late 1800s. These hardy plants grow 2-4 feet tall and produce upward facing flowers in June and July. Colors include shades of red, orange, yellow, white and pink.
Oriental lilies originated in Japan and were brought to Europe in the early 1900s. They grow quite tall, up to 5-6 feet, and bloom in August and September. The large fragrant flowers come in white pink and yellow and face outward or downward.
Now that we have a general sense of each type, let’s look at some specific differences in more detail.
Leaf Shape
One way to distinguish between Asiatic and Oriental lilies is by examining the leaves.
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Asiatic lily leaves are slender and lance-shaped. They emerge with a glossy look and grow closely spaced along the stems.
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Oriental lily leaves have a wider, heart-shaped form. The leaves are arranged further apart on the tall stems and have a dull, matte texture.
Flower Size and Shape
The blooms provide more visual cues to tell the lily types apart:
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Asiatic lily flowers are typically 4-6 inches wide with pointed petals that face upward.
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Oriental lily blooms can reach 6-8 inches in diameter. The petals have a curved, ruffled look and face outward or downward.
So in general, Oriental lily flowers are larger and have more dramatic curved petals compared to the smaller, flatter blooms of Asiatic lilies.
Flower Colors
You can also look to the bloom colors for help identifying Oriental and Asiatic lily types:
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Asiatic lilies come in a huge range of colors including red, orange, yellow, pink, white, and purple.
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Oriental lily flower colors are more limited. Traditional varieties produce blooms in white, pink, yellow, and combinations of these shades.
So while Asiatic lilies offer the entire rainbow, Oriental lilies bloom in more subdued pastel tones.
Fragrance
Here’s an easy way to tell these lilies apart – take a sniff!
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Asiatic lilies have little to no detectable fragrance.
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Oriental lilies are known for their powerfully sweet, spicy scent. Some people find the perfumed blooms intoxicating.
So Asiatic lilies will not fill your garden with fragrance like Oriental varieties.
Bloom Season
Timing is another key difference between the two lily types:
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Asiatic lilies bloom in late spring through early summer, typically June to July.
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Oriental lilies flower later, during mid to late summer. The blooms open in August and last into September.
So Asiatic lilies kick off the lily season first, followed by the Oriental lily display later in summer.
Height
Since Asiatic lilies only reach 2-4 feet tall, they rarely need staking to remain upright.
Meanwhile, Oriental lilies can tower 5-6 feet in height. Their top-heavy blooms and slender stems often require staking for support.
Climate Preference
Most Asiatic lilies thrive in USDA Zones 4-8. They can tolerate cooler climates.
Oriental lilies grow well across a slightly broader range, USDA Zones 4-9. They appreciate the warmer end of the spectrum.
So Asiatic lilies are your best bet for colder northern gardens. Oriental lilies will flourish in hot, humid southern climates.
Multiplication Rate
Another key difference is how quickly the bulbs reproduce:
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Asiatic lily bulbs multiply rapidly. The clumps typically double in size each year.
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Oriental lilies increase at a much slower, steadier rate. It takes several years for the bulbs to double in number.
So Asiatic lilies will give you more bulbs for your buck and fill in flower beds quicker. Oriental lilies are slower to spread.
Caring for Asiatic vs Oriental Lilies
In terms of care, Oriental lilies need a bit more TLC to thrive:
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Asiatic lilies will grow in most types of fertile, well-draining soil.
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Oriental lilies prefer consistently moist but well-drained soil enriched with organic matter.
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Asiatic lilies tolerate more sun exposure. Oriental lilies appreciate partial shade.
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Asiatic lilies rarely need staking. Oriental lilies often require staking to support the tall stems and large flowers.
So while Asiatic lilies are unfussy and easygoing, Oriental lilies like pampering with enriched soil, filtered light and structural supports.
Extend the Bloom Season
Here’s a fun tip – since Asiatic and Oriental lilies bloom at different times, planting both together results in months of continuous color!
Asiatic lilies kick off the show in early summer, then the Oriental lilies take over with blooms in late summer after the Asiatics have faded. It’s a great way to enjoy lilies from June through September.
In Summary
While Asiatic and Oriental lilies have their similarities, a close look reveals some clear differences:
- Leaf shape: slender for Asiatic, wider for Oriental
- Flower size: smaller for Asiatic, larger for Oriental
- Flower direction: upward facing for Asiatic, outward facing for Oriental
- Flower colors: diverse for Asiatic, pastels for Oriental
- Fragrance: none for Asiatic, strongly scented for Oriental
- Bloom season: early summer for Asiatic, late summer for Oriental
- Plant height: short for Asiatic, tall for Oriental
- Climate: Asiatic suit cooler areas, Oriental suit warmer zones
- Spread rate: quick for Asiatic, moderate for Oriental
- Care needs: easygoing for Asiatic, more demanding for Oriental
Now that you know the key differences, identifying Asiatic vs Oriental lilies in your garden will be easy! Both offer gorgeous colors and make excellent cut flowers, so consider planting both types to enjoy waves of lily beauty in your garden.
How to propagate lilies
After three or four years, lilies will clump up and need dividing. This is the best time to propagate them. In autumn, simply lift clumps with a garden fork and peel the bulbs apart. Plant them into smaller clumps directly into the garden or pots.
Growing lilies: problem solving
A common pest that troubles lily growers is the red lily beetle. These striking red beetles, growing to 8mm long, can be spotted anytime from March to October. When you approach a plant they drop to the floor, landing on their backs so theyre hard to see. They eat lily foliage and leave behind a black excrement – which can be used to identify an infestation even if you dont see the beetle.
The best protection against lily beetles is vigilance. Check for eggs and larvae on the undersides of leaves, and remove them as soon as you spot them. If an infestation is very bad you may have to turn to a suitable insecticide, but you should try to avoid spraying lilies in flower, as sprays could present a danger to pollinating insects.
Alan Titchmarsh offers his tips for getting rid of lily beetles, in this video:
All parts of the lily can be fatal to cats – dont grow them if youre worried about this.
COMPARING ASIATIC LILIES, TREE LILIES AND ORIENTAL LILIES/ SANAA’S GARDEN/
FAQ
Do Asiatic lilies multiply each year?
Yes, Asiatic lilies are known to multiply each year. They do this by producing offsets (small bulbs) at the base of the parent bulb.
Which lily smells asiatic or oriental?
The oriental lilies
These are the scented lilies. They are available in different shades of pink, from light pink to dark pink or even almost red. They are also available in white or white with yellow. Usually, the darker the color, the stronger the smell.
Will Asiatic lilies spread?
Yes, Asiatic lilies will spread in your garden. They multiply by producing new bulbs from the parent bulb and also by forming bulbils, which are small bulb-like structures, along the stems.
Do Asiatic lilies like sun or shade?
Choose the planting site: Asiatic lilies bloom best in full sun, so choose a spot that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight a day from early spring to late summer. (In partial shade, your plants may not bloom as much and may instead grow more green leaves).
Are Oriental lilies the same as Asiatic lily?
Oriental and Asiatic lilies aren’t the same, but both of the popular, hybrid lilies are strikingly beautiful and right at home in the home garden. Although Oriental lilies are slightly trickier, both are easy to grow, and learning to tell the difference between Asiatic and Oriental lilies isn’t all that difficult either.
What are Asiatic lilies?
Asiatic lily leaves are lance-shaped and glossy. Oriental lily leaves are heart-shaped and have a dull finish. The leaves of Asiatic lilies are spaced more closely together than those of Oriental lilies. They both grow with long stalks, but since Oriental lilies are taller, they often need staking, whereas Asiatic lilies do not.
What do Asian lilies look like?
Asiatic Lilies- Asiatic Lilies have long glossy leaves, which are skinny and usually 4 to 5 inches. They are bright green in colour, and when Asiatic Lilies grow, they get long stalks and develop multiple narrow leaves near the stem placed closely. Oriental Lilies- Oriental Lilies have somewhat heart-shaped leaves which are coloured dull green.
Are Oriental lilies scented?
Oriental Lilies- Oriental Lilies are hybrids developed from a few species native to Japan. Asiatic Lilies- Asiatic Lilies have no or very little any fragrance. Oriental Lilies- Oriental Lilies are heavily scented flowers. Most people find the fragrance as pleasant, but some people find it unpleasant.
Are Asian lilies easy to grow?
Although Oriental lilies are slightly trickier, both are easy to grow, and learning to tell the difference between Asiatic and Oriental lilies isn’t all that difficult either. Asiatic lilies are native to several areas of Asia. The plants, which reach mature heights of 1 to 6 feet (0.5-2 m.), display long, slender, glossy leaves.
Do Asian lilies bloom?
Many are even known as tree lilies. The deep green leaves are wider and further apart than the leaves of Asiatic lilies and are somewhat heart-shaped. Oriental lilies bloom about the time Asiatic lilies are fading. The huge blooms, primarily in shades of white, pastel pink, and pastel yellow, are heavily scented.