Lilies are popular with gardeners because they have stunning flowers and are easy to grow. However, with so many different types of lilies available, it can be tough to decide which is best for your garden. In this blog, we’ll discuss the types of lilies we have in stock and provide helpful tips for selecting the perfect variety.
Oriental lilies are one of the most popular varieties 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 ideal 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 they need a bit of space to reach their full potential.
Asiatic lilies are usually the first of the lily varieties to flower, blooming in early summer. They are known for their upward-facing flowers and multiple shades, including red, orange, yellow, pink, and white.
Asiatic lilies are compact, averaging 60-90cm and because they grow excellently in pots, they’re a popular choice for smaller spaces. They also thrive in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, making them a flexible option.
Additionally, Asiatic lilies are hardy and can withstand colder temperatures better than many lily varieties. They’re fragrance-free and have showy flowers, too, making them the preferred choice for flower arrangements.
Also called OT lilies or oriental trumpets, these are a cross between oriental lilies and trumpet lilies. They have a strong fragrance like their parents and relatively open flowers like the oriental lily. They also come in a wide array of colours and bi-colours.
OT lilies tower tall at 120-180cm and need a bit of extra room in the garden. They are a strong option for cooler climates as they can withstand colder temperatures better than other lily varieties.
Tree lilies, as their name suggests, are tall and majestic lilies that can grow up to 240cm tall. They’re 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 range of colours, including pink, red, white, and yellow, and they’re often used to create a dramatic focal point in the garden.
When choosing a tree lily, consider the size of your garden first. Tree lilies require lots of space and should be planted in a sunny location with well-draining soil. It’s also important to choose a variety suitable for your climate, as tree lilies are not frost-tolerant and can require additional protection in winter.
Tiger lilies are a distinct and eye-catching variety of lilies 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’re also known for their resilience and can adapt to different soil types, including sandy, loamy, or clay soils and tiger lilies prefer full sun to partial shade.
Tiger lilies spread easily in the garden so you can grow them in pots if you prefer to keep them contained and they typically bloom in mid to late summer, growing to a height of 90-120cm.
Also known as the Christmas lily because they’re bred to flower earlier to coincide with Christmas, these are usually white and have trumpet-shaped, fragrant, flowers. It is an oriental type of lily so will grow well in the same conditions.
The Turk’s Cap Lily is renowned for its stunning blooms, longevity, and ease of growing. With tall, strong stems that can produce 10-20 blooms each, they will take a full sun position but achieve greater height and better flower colour in part shade as they are more of a woodland plant type.
Adding lime to the soil may be required, but like all lily varieties, a well-drained compost-rich soil is essential. Turk’s caps are best left to naturalise and a fertiliser application every spring will maximise the potential of these beautiful blooms.
Lilies are among the most popular and beautiful flowers for gardens. With elegant, trumpet-shaped blooms and sweet fragrances, they add grace and charm to any landscape. Two of the most classic lily types are Asiatic lilies and tiger lilies. But what exactly sets these two varieties apart? In this in-depth comparison, we’ll explore the key differences between Asiatic and tiger lilies to help you choose the best ones for your needs.
An Overview of Asiatic Lilies
Asiatic lilies encompass a wide range of hybrid lilies within the Lilium genus that originated from central and northeast Asia. Over the years, Asiatic lilies have been extensively bred, so modern varieties thrive in gardens worldwide.
Some notable qualities of Asiatic lilies include
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Diverse Colors – Asiatic lilies display a huge spectrum of colors and bicolors including reds, oranges, yellows, pinks, purples, and whites.
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Varied Flower Forms – Blooms may be trumpet-shaped, bowl-shaped or star-shaped. Many have delicate speckles and brushstroke markings.
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Fragrance – Most have a light, sweet perfume. Some varieties are nearly scentless.
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Hardiness – Asiatic lilies tolerate cold winters and hot summers very well. They resist most common diseases.
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Long Bloom Season – Flowers open from early summer to early fall depending on the variety.
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Versatile Uses – Excellent for borders, container gardens, and cut flower bouquets.
An Overview of Tiger Lilies
Known scientifically as Lilium lancifolium or Lilium tigrinum, the tiger lily is most notable for its unique speckled flowers in fiery shades. Other defining traits include:
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Vibrant Blooms – Tiger lily flowers are primarily a bold orange-red hue with dark spots on the petals resembling a tiger’s coat.
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Trumpet Shape – Large bowl-shaped blossoms face outward on upright stems. Petals strongly recurve backward.
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Subtle Scent – The aroma is light and not overpowering.
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Midsummer Flowering – Blooms open in July and August.
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Tall Stature – Stems grow quite tall, typically 3 to 5 feet high. Makes a dramatic statement.
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Cold Hardiness – Tolerates cold climates and frosty winters.
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Self-Seeding – Spreads readily by seed dispersal and small bulblets along the stems.
Comparing Asiatic Lilies vs. Tiger Lilies
While Asiatic lilies and tiger lilies share a few similarities, some key differences help set them apart:
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Colors – Asiatics offer diverse colors while tiger lilies are primarily orange-red.
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Patterns – Many asiatics have spots/speckles in contrasting colors. The tiger lily has dark spots on orange petals.
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Flower Shape – Asiatics may have bowl, trumpet or star-shaped blooms. Tiger lilies have strongly recurved trumpets.
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Scent – Asiatics tend to have a pleasant, sweet perfume. The tiger lily scent is subtle.
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Height – Tiger lilies grow quite tall at 3 to 5 feet tall. Asiatics reach 2 to 4 feet in height on average.
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Blooming Season – Asiatics bloom in early summer while tiger lilies flower in mid to late summer.
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Hardiness – Both are cold hardy, but asiatics tend to be more resistant to diseases.
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Propagation – Asiatics are always grown from bulbs. Tiger lilies also produce small bulblets along the stems.
Choosing Between Asiatic vs. Tiger Lilies
When selecting lilies for your garden, consider these key factors:
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Color and Patterns – For vibrant orange-reds, pick tiger lilies. For diverse colors and speckled patterns, go with Asiatic lilies.
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Fragrance – Most asiatics have a light, sweet scent. The tiger lily fragrance is less noticeable. Choose asiatics if fragrance is important.
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Planting Site – Tiger lilies spread rapidly and need ample space. Asiatics stay neatly clumped. Tiger lilies work better in wide open planting areas.
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Bloom Season – Extend the lily season by planting early Asiatics with midsummer tiger lilies.
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Cut Flowers – Asiatic lilies make better cut flowers as their stems are shorter and sturdier. Tiger lily stems tend to droop.
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Disease Resistance – For foolproof flowers, Asiatic lilies are less prone to viruses and other diseases.
Growing and Caring for Asiatic Lilies and Tiger Lilies
Both Asiatic lilies and tiger lilies thrive when given:
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Full sun to partial shade – At least 6 hours of direct sun is ideal. Afternoon shade prevents wilting.
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Rich, well-drained soil – Amend clay soils with compost. Avoid overly wet, soggy sites.
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Moderate water – Established lilies tolerate short dry periods but bloom best with 1 inch of water per week.
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Protection from wind – Shelter plants from strong winds that can damage stems and blooms.
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Good air circulation – Space lilies adequately and avoid crowding for best growth.
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Timed fertilization – Use a balanced organic fertilizer scratched into soil in early spring.
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Winter mulch – In cold climates, mulch lily roots after fall frosts for insulation.
Finding the Right Lilies for Your Garden
With their beautiful blooms and sweet fragrance, Asiatic lilies and tiger lilies make showstopping additions to gardens. For diversity, pick Asiatics. For drama, choose tiger lilies. Or plant both to enjoy a longer lily season. Given proper care, you’ll enjoy their beauty for many years.
When selecting between these two classic varieties, match the lily’s traits to your specific needs and garden goals. With the right choice, Asiatic lilies and tiger lilies will flourish and add graceful elegance to your landscape for seasons to come.
Other Types of Lilies
There are many plants with lily in their name that aren’t true lilies and canna lilies, calla lilies, water lilies, and more, fall under this category. They all have gorgeous flowers but generally require different growing conditions.
Top left to right: Calla, Canna, lily of the valley. Bottom left to right: pineapple, storm and water lily
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Lily Type |
Position |
Height |
Flowering |
Special Features |
Ideal for |
|
Oriental |
Part-shade |
90-120cm |
Summer |
· Fragrant · Large flowers |
· Pots · Shaded gardens · Borders and beds |
|
Asiatic |
Full sun to part-shade |
60-90cm |
Late Spring – Early Summer |
· Early blooming · Compact plant |
· Pots · Balconies and patios · Borders and beds |
|
Oriental-Trumpet |
Full sun to part-shade |
120-180cm |
Late Spring – Summer |
· Fragrant · Outstanding choice of colours |
· Pots · Borders and beds |
|
Tree |
Full sun |
up to 240cm |
Summer |
· Tall · Fragrant trumpet-shaped blooms |
· Statement planting · Tall background planting · Larger gardens |
|
Tiger |
Full sun to part-shade |
90-150cm |
Summer |
· Speckled petals · Abundant flowers |
· Pots · Borders and beds |
|
Longiflorum |
Full sun to part-shade |
40-100cm |
Spring – Summer |
· Trumpet-shaped flowers · Early blooming |
· Pots · Borders and beds |
|
Turk’s Cap |
Part-shade |
90-120cm |
Summer |
· Fragrant · Small flowers |
· Pots · Shaded gardens · Borders and beds |
Mr Fothergills stocks a large variety of lilium to choose from. As most grow from bulbs, they are only seasonally available, usually between June and September. If you have any further questions about choosing the right lily or about any of our products, don’t hesitate to contact us or take a deeper dive into our garden advice blog!
Dana has spent the last 10 years working in the horticultural field both for local government and the private sector. At Mr Fothergills Seeds, she shares her expertise through growing advice and tips, answers live chat questions, and writes information for new seed lines.
Oriental vs. Asiatic Lilies: Which to Choose for Your Bouquet? (Sparks Florist Guide)
FAQ
Will asiatic lily spread?
Asiatic lilies will spread in the garden, especially if planted in areas with the right conditions. These include rich and well-drained soil and plenty of air circulation.
Are Asiatic lilies poisonous to touch?
Asiatic lilies pose several risks for accidental poisoning. The most common way this happens is through the ingestion of their bulbs, leaves, or flowers. Skin contact with the sap can also lead to irritation or even absorption of harmful toxins.
Do Asiatic lilies grow back every year?
Asiatic lilies are a breeze to grow and maintain, and they tend to come back and multiply year after year. Asiatic lily bulbs can be planted in the spring or fall. Like other lilies, Asiatic lilies prefer well-drained sandy or loamy soil and plenty of sunshine-”about 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily.
What is the difference between Tiger Lilies and Asiatics?
Colors – Asiatics offer every color except true blue, while tiger lilies are primarily orange-red. Patterns – Many asiatics have spots and speckles in contrasting colors. The tiger lily has dark spots on orange petals. Flower shape – Asiatics may have bowl, trumpet, or star-shaped blooms. Tiger lilies have strongly recurved trumpet flowers.
What is the difference between Asiatic lilies and Oriental lily?
Color Preferences: Asiatic lilies offer a broader color range, while Oriental lilies provide deeper hues. Bloom Size: Oriental lilies make a bold statement with larger blooms, whereas Asiatic lilies offer a more delicate presence. What is the difference between an asiatic lily and a daylily?
Do tiger lilies have orange flowers?
If you want vibrant orange-red flowers, the tiger lily is the clear choice. For diverse colors and speckled patterns, go with asiatic lilies. Most asiatics have a light, sweet scent. The tiger lily fragrance is less noticeable. Pick asiatics if fragrance is important. Tiger lilies can spread rapidly and need ample space.
Are tiger lilies a good choice?
With their stunning flowers and sweet scent, both asiatic lilies and tiger lilies make showstopping additions to gardens. Pick asiatics for diversity, tiger lilies for drama, or plant both types to enjoy a longer lily season. With proper care, you’ll enjoy their beauty for many years to come.
Do Tiger Lilies droop?
Asiatics stay neatly clumped. Tiger lilies work better in wide open areas. Extend the lily season by planting early-blooming asiatics with midsummer tiger lilies. Asiatic lilies make better cut flowers as their stems are shorter and sturdier. Tiger lily stems tend to droop in arrangements. Prefer foolproof flowers?
How many types of tiger lilies are there?
There are at least nine varieties of the tiger lily plant. However, none of them are pure cultivars, sadly. Instead, they are more of cross-bred variation with other plants, writes Plant Lilies. These variations are mostly native to Asia, whereas the original tiger lily is native to North America.