Learning the Lilies!

There are so many types of lilies out there... which make them a excellent collectors item in the garden, I already collect hosta, so why not expand into my other favourite plant collection. My dad is definitely a heirloom guy, anything that reminds him of his childhood, growing up on the farm or my grandmother's garden, is his kind of plant. Me, on the other hand, I'm the artist, crazy creative child, so any weird or exotic plant goes! Here is a quick lesson into the world of lilies.

Lessons on Lilies

Day Lilies - Originally bred from wild lilies, these are the closest in resemblance to heirloom lilies and wild cousins. Today you can still find original varieties in simple colours and forms, the most common colours are white, yellow, and orange. over the years master gardeners and breeders have developed day lilies into any size, shape and colour. Some varieties bloom two or three times in a season, while others show off double or triple blooms and sometimes multiple blooms per stock.

                                                      "Lemon"                "John Peat"                  "Kwanso"              "Double Dribble"

Tiger Lilies and Tiger Hybrids - Tiger lilies are another species of lily, closely modified from the wild form. The original is orange with stripes, and spans as a native plant across North America in two forms, a large "day lily" style and a more dainty "Asian" style. It has been crossed and hybridized over the years to create hardy, tall and strong stemmed breeds. (Lilium lancifolium) grow happily in Zones 3-9 in colors of spotted white, yellow, orange, and red. They should be kept apart from other lilies since they can be carriers of viruses. Lilies come in a wide range of colors, sizes and bloom styles.

                                              Wild Tiger Lily       Wild Trout Tiger Lily  Giant Pink Tiger Lily   Giant White Tiger Hybrid

Heirloom Lilies

                                                  Lily Leichtlinii           Album Lily               Rubrum Lily       Flora Pleno Double Tiger Lily

Trumpet Lilies

                                              "African Queen"           "Perfect Pink"               "Regal"                  "Album Regal"

Asiatic Lilies
Asiatic have straight stems and many brightly colored blossoms ranging from the softest pastels to fiery reds and oranges. Asiatic lilies grow 2 to 3 feet tall and bloom over a long season. Most Asiatic lilies are unscented. Asiatic lilies require winter chilling to continue to thrive. Available in a wide variety of colors and combinations, some of the more popular Asiatic varieties are Landini, Centerfold and Lollypop lily.

   "Iowa Rose"          "Antique Lace"              "Linda"                "Landini"

Oriental Lilies including the Stargazer lily have large, ornate flowers, usually in white, pink, rose, or red with intense fragrance. Cultivars vary from 18 inches to 6 feet tall. They are the most popular cut flowers and garden perennials, and include showy varieties like Stargazer Lily, Casablanca Lily, and Tom Pouce Lily.

                                              "Double Mix"             "Casablanca"           "Giant Yellow"                 "Stargazer"

Collect away! I hope to add a bunch more to my collection this year, 

just have to find the right spaces for them!