5 Popular Types of Lilies to Plant in Your Garden

Lilies (Lilium) are flowering plants known for their six-petaled blooms and long, rust-colored anthers that attract pollinators. Many varieties and hybridized cultivars exist, but not all plants with “lily” in their common name are true lilies from the genus Lilium. For example, daylilies (Hemerocallis) and calla lilies (Zantedeschia) are not true lilies despite sharing similar features.

Lilies generally thrive in temperate climates, but depending on the variety, they can do well in USDA Hardiness Zones 3–9. When cared for properly, early bloomers blossom in the spring, while other varieties bloom in the summer or fall. As perennial plants, they fade in the winter and sprout new blooms from their bulbs when the growing season begins again in the spring or summer. As cut flowers, they last up to two weeks. Cat owners should be aware that some of the most popular lily varieties are toxic to cats.

The North American Lily Society divides lilies into nine broad categories, or divisions.

1. 1. Asiatic hybrid lilies: Native to eastern and central Asia, these largely unscented lilies come in a range of colors and usually start blooming in the early summer.
2. 2. Martagon hybrid lilies: Also known as Turk’s cap lilies, martagon lilies have downward-facing flowers that look as if they’ve been turned inside out.
3. 3. Candidum hybrid lilies: Candidum lilies are also known by their common name, madonna lily. These white lilies have upward-facing blooms that start appearing from late spring to early summer. These plants grow best in relatively dry conditions.
4. 4. American hybrid lilies: American lilies are native to North America and have fragrant flowers that bloom in the spring in warm climates and the summer in cooler climates.
5. 5. Longiflorum hybrid lilies: Commonly called Easter lilies, they are native to Japan and Taiwan and known for their trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in the mid-to-late summer.
6. 6. Trumpet and Aurelian hybrid lilies: Classified in the same division, Aurelian lilies and trumpet lilies have trumpet-shaped flowers. They’re tall—sometimes growing up to eight feet in height—and prefer warmer climates.
7. 7. Oriental hybrid lilies: Oriental lilies are typically hybrids of the L. auratum and L. speciosum lily species. They come in a variety of colors and shapes—all of which are fragrant.
8. 8. Interdivisional hybrid lilies: Interdivisional lilies are the result of crossing two divisions of lilies. The LA hybrid lily, for example, is the result of combining L. longiflorum with Asiatic varieties—hence the LA moniker.
9. 9. Wild lilies: The ninth division of lilies includes wild lilies, or species lilies that haven’t been hybridized.

There are many different types of lilies to choose from, so start by familiarizing yourself with these popular varieties and cultivars.

1. 1. Tiger lily: Tiger lilies have speckled, bright orange flowers that bloom in the summer. These hardy, wild lilies can thrive in zones 3–9 and areas of your garden with partial shade.
2. 2. Canada lily: Much like tiger lilies, Canada lily flowers are downward-facing, orange or yellow, and speckled with brown freckles. As wild lilies native to Canada and North America, they do well in zones 3–9.
3. 3. ‘Stargazer’ lily: These deeply fragrant, Oriental hybrid lilies have upward-facing, large flowers that range from pale pink to dark red. This variety prefers full sun.
4. 4. Easter lily: Easter lilies have white, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in the late summer. They can grow outdoors in zones 7 and up, but may need to be moved indoors during the winter months in cooler zones.
5. 5. ‘Casa Blanca’ lily: Another Oriental hybrid with showy blooms, this variety features many bright white flowers on each stem. They do best in zones 5–8 and gardens with a mix of full sun and partial shade.

Since there are so many varieties of lilies, planting and caring for each type should be individualized. However, there are some general rules of thumb to keep in mind.

1. 1. Plant the bulbs in the spring or fall. Plant your lily bulbs in the late fall or middle of spring, depending on the variety you choose. You can also plant lily seeds in the same windows, but be aware that your lilies may not bloom for the first few years if grown from seed.
2. 2. Choose the right location. Some varieties of lily require full sun, while others need partial shade. Research your lily’s sunlight needs first before planting.
3. 3. Plant the bulbs deep and spaced out. Dig a hole roughly eight inches deep—or deep enough so that the top of the bulb is a few inches below the surface. To give your plants enough room to grow, space the bulbs roughly a foot apart from each other.
4. 4. Use well-draining soil. Most lilies need loamy, well-draining soil to thrive. Some lilies do better in acidic to neutral soil while others prefer alkaline soils, so it’s a good idea to test the soil pH.
5. 5. Water regularly during the growing season. If you live in an area that doesn’t get much rain, water your lilies often—especially when they’re establishing themselves in the ground. The soil and mulch should feel moist but never wet.
6. 6. Fertilize the soil around your lilies. Some lily varieties require fertilizer to thrive. Asiatic lilies, for example, could use a high-potassium fertilizer every two weeks, while Oriental hybrids don’t necessarily need fertilizer at all. For the best results with varieties that could use regular feeding, fertilize the plant from the day you plant the bulb until six weeks after it begins to blossom.

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