Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 2.0 - 00000858
01/01/98
Height: to 6 ft Spacing: 12 in Type: hardy bulb Flowers: Most colors except blue
Comments: Lilies generally need a well-drained soil. Most are planted as deep as three times the diameter of the bulb, but there are exceptions. Lily bulbs are planted as soon as possible as they lose vigor quickly when out of the ground. Lilies will not tolerate a wet soil but do like cool soil, so mulching will be helpful. The bulbs may rot if given too much nitrogen. A lily may be found for either sun or shade. Most lilies are planted in late autumn except for Madonna and Meadow Lilies. Madonna Lily is planted in August and Meadow Lily in mid-July.
Propagation: Lilies are divided in autumn. Lily bulb scales may be separated and planted.
Cultivars: The following list contains a description of
species and hybrid strains.
Asiatic Hybrids - Flower colors are available in most
shades except blue. Grow in sun or partial shade.
The plants are two to four feet tall. Some Asiatic
hybrids are listed below.
'Buff Pixie' - Buff yellow flowers.
'Butter Pixie' - Creamy-yellow flowers.
'Coral Sunrise' - Coral pink flowers.
'Crimson Pixie' - Red flowers.
'Duet' - White flowers have dark pink centers.
'Hornpipe' - Gold to orange flowers.
'La Toya' - Deep pink flowers.
'Marseille' - White flowers have pink centers.
'Montreux' - Pink flowers.
'Scarlet Emperor' - Bright red flowers.
'Sorbet' - White flowers have dark pink markings.
'Top Hit' - Pure white flowers.
L. auratum - The plants can be 6 feet tall with red,
white or yellow flowers. The flowers can be 10
inches across.
'Gold Band' - The large flowers consist of white
petals that have yellow stipes and red spots.
'Opala' - Pure white flowers.
Aurelian Hybrids - Flowers are all colors but blue or
purple. The plants can be 6 feet tall. The flowers
are fragrant and trumpet-shaped.
L. candidum - Madonna Lily - The plant usually starts
growth in the fall. It is planted on 1 to 2 inches
deep. White flowers.
L. lancifolium - Tiger Lily - The flowers are orange,
red, white or yellow and are spotted. Bubils form in
the leaf axils.
L. martagon - A Turkscap Lily with pink, purple or
white flowers.
Oriental Hybrids - The flowers are pink, red, white or
yellow and are large, flat and fragrant. The plants
can be 6 feet tall. Some Oriental hybrids are listed
below.
'Arena' - White flowers have yellow stripes that
become red near the petal tips.
'Aubade' - White petals have bright yellow stripes.
'Belle Epoque' - Pale pink flowers.
'Black Beauty' - Dark red petals have white edges
and green bases.
'Casa Blanca' - White flowers.
'Early Rose' - White flowers are flushed with pink
and speckled with red.
'Gigi' - Plants 14 inches tall produce white flowers
with maroon stripes.
'Grayswood' - A dwarf, 16 inches tall, has pale pink
flowers marked with pink and red.
'Lush Life' - Pink flowers.
'Miss America' - Light pink flowers.
'Mona Lisa' - Dark pink flowers.
'Mr. Rudd' - White flowers with yellow bands.
'My Romance' - A dwarf with bright pink flowers with
crimson stripes.
'Sangria' - Red blooms have red margins.
'San Souci' - White and red flowers, 24 inches tall.
'Stargazer' - Bright crimson flowers have white
petal margins.
'Versailles' - White flowers are flecked with
magenta.
L. pumilum - Red or yellow flowers are fragrant and
drooping. Often naturalizes by self-seeded
volunteers.
L. regale - Regal Lily - The maroon and white flowers
are fragrant. The plants can grow to 6 feet.
L. speciosum - Flower colors include orange, pink, red,
white. These 6-foot tall plants have flat flowers.
var. rubrum - White and crimson flowers.
L. superbum - Turk's Cap - The orange flowers of this
lily can be found in the wild in North America. It
grows best in partial shade.
References for Cultivars: North Central Regional Extension Publication 339. White Flower Farm 1997, Lake County Nursery 1997, Bailey Nurseries 1997.