Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00000858
11/12/99

Lilium--Lily


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.
'Alaska' - White flowers.
'Apeldoorn - Orange-red flowers.
'Apollo' - White flowers.
'Atlantis' - Pink flowers.
'Avignon' - Red flowers
'Buff Pixie' - Buff yellow flowers.
'Butter Pixie' - Creamy-yellow flowers.
'Connecticut King' - Bright yellow flowers.
'Coral Sunrise' - Coral pink flowers.
'Crimson Pixie' - Red flowers.
'Crimson Sun' - Red flowers.
'Duet' - White flowers have dark pink centers.
'Elite' - Orange flowers.
'Enchantment' - Orange flowers.
'Gardenia' - Yellow flowers are flushed with red at
the petal tips.
'Horizon' - Orange flowers.
'Hornpipe' - Gold to orange flowers.
'La Toya' - Deep pink flowers.
'Latvia' - Yellow flowers are speckled with maroon.
'Marseille' - White flowers have pink centers.
'Monte Negro' - Dark red flowers.
'Montreux' - Pink flowers.
'Orange Pixie' - Orange flowers.
'Pink Pixie' - Pink and white flowers.
'Santa Cruz' - Yellow flowers with faint speckles.
'Scarlet Emperor' - Bright red flowers.
'Simply Red' - Spotted, red flowers face upward.
'Sorbet' - White flowers have dark pink markings.
'Symphony' - Yellow flowers.
'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.
'African Queen' - Apricot-colored flowers.
'Pink Perfection' - Deep pink flowers.
'Science Fiction' - Dark red, trumpet-shaped flowers.
L. candidum - Madonna Lily - The plant usually starts
growth in the fall. It is planted on 1 to 2 inches
deep. White flowers (Vis. 2).
L. lancifolium - Tiger Lily - The flowers are orange,
red, white or yellow and are spotted. Bubils form in
the leaf axils (Vis. 3).
'Tiger Yellow' - Yellow flowers are heavily spotted.
'Pink Tiger' - Pink flowers.
L. longifolium 'Mount Everest' - White flowers.
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.
'Acapulco' - Fragrant, mauve flowers.
'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
'Color Parade' - Pink flowers have yellow flares.
'Early Rose' - White flowers are flushed with pink
and speckled with red.
'Feelings' - Pink flowers have yellow star and are
lightly spotted.
'Gigi' - Plants 14 inches tall produce white flowers
with maroon stripes.
'Golden Stardust' - Yellow flowers with light red
speckles.
'Grayswood' - A dwarf, 16 inches tall, has pale pink
flowers marked with pink and red.
'Lush Life' - Pink flowers.
'Miss America' - Light pink flowers.
'Miss Burma' - 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 (Vis. 1).
'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.
'Tinkerbell' - Lavender flowers, somewhat difficult to
grow.

References for Cultivars: North Central Regional Extension
Publication 339. White Flower Farm 1999, Lake County
Nursery 1999, Bailey Nurseries 1999, Weston Nurseries 1999,
Sheridan Nurseries 1999, Wayside Gardens 1999, Berryhill
Nurseries 1999, Willoway Nurseries 1999.


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