Lily species: Colorful & hardy varieties

Lilies are traditional and popular ornamental plants. We present the species with the most beautiful colors as well as hardy lilies.

Some types of Lilies (Lilium) are among the oldest ornamental plants at all. However, if you look at the large, elegant flowers of the lilies, you immediately understand why the plants have aroused the interest of enthusiastic flower lovers for so long. Nowadays there are nine divisions in lily breeding, which serve to classify over 2000 species as well as their varieties and hybrids. Eight of the divisions apply to hybrids and provide information about the cross-ability between the species. The intensive crossing resulted in varieties in all possible flower colors and shapes. However, these varieties do not only differ externally. They have different demands on the location and are sometimes more, sometimes less winter hardy. We will help you find a particularly beautiful species for pot culture or the garden.

The 10 most beautiful types of lily with countless varieties

One can supposedly argue about beauty. Which of the countless species and their hybrids are the most beautiful depends of course on individual taste. With such a selection of flower colors, shapes and sizes, one thing is certain: every flower lover will find a variety that will open their hearts. Oriental and Asian hybrids in particular form colorful, large flowers that literally compete for the attention of their beholder. Here are a few particularly pretty varieties of the most beautiful (hybrid) species at a glance:

1. Oriental hybrid

Oriental lily hybrids usually have intensely fragrant flowers that are enthroned horizontally on the flower stalks. They are particularly suitable as cut flowers.

• 'Casa Blanca': Tropical white flowers with striking red stigmas; Flowering period: August - September; Stature over 1 m; sunny to partially shaded location; hardy and suitable for potting.
• ‚Muscadet‘: Innocent white flowers; Flowering period: July - August; Growth height up to 1 m; hardy to -15 ° C; partially shaded location.
• 'Stargazer': white, fragrant flowers with bright red markings towards the center of the leaf; Flowering period: July - August; Growth height up to 1 m; is also suitable as a pot plant; partially shaded location.
• 'Tigerwoods': white-purple tabby flowers; Flowering period: July - August; Stature over 1 m; sunny location.
• 'Roselily Carolina': beautiful white flowers with a honey-yellow central rib; Flowering period: July - August; Growth height up to 1 m; sunny location; suitable for pot culture.
• 'Big Brother': Large white to honey yellow flowers; Flowering period: August - September; Height about 90 cm; for full sun and dry locations.
• 'Gold Band': White-ground flowers with a yellow central rib and red-orange speckles; Flowering period: August - September; Height about 90 cm; for full sun and dry locations.

• 'Blushing Girl': Playful, white, double flowers with a yellow central rib and isolated red dots; Height about 80 cm; location in full sun.
• 'Exotic Sun': Double yellow flowers with a wavy edge; Height about 1 m; partially shaded to shady locations.
• 'Montego Bay': Warm yellow-red flowers; Flowering period: July - August; Growth height over 1 m, partially shaded location.
• 'Extravaganza': white flowers with pink flecks; Flowering period: August - September; Height about 90 cm; for full sun and dry locations.
• ‚Dizzy‘: White flowers with a pink central rib and striking pink speckles; Stature over 1 m; sunny to partially shaded location.
• 'Pimento': flowers with a wonderful play of colors of white, pink and strong carmine red; Flowering period: July - August; Growth height up to 75 cm; hardy to -15 ° C; partially shaded location.
• ‚Josephine‘: Fragrant, delicate pink flowers; Flowering period: July - August; hardy to - 15 ° C; partially shaded location.
• 'Magic Star': Double flowers in pink with a pink central rib; Stature over 1 m; sunny to partially shaded location.

2. Asian hybrid

Asiatic lilies and their hybrids come up with three different flower shapes. The flowers can be elegantly directed upwards and star-shaped, sideways and star-shaped, or nodding with petals curved backwards. Filled varieties, which are a sinus-friendly alternative for pollen allergy sufferers, are a very special feast for the eyes. The hybrids are crosses of various Asian lilies such as the tiger lily and are extremely easy to care for. The main flowering time is July.

• 'Purple Eye': dark purple flower; Flowering period: July - August; Growth height up to 1 m.
• 'Orange': Pleasant orange, star-shaped flowers; full sun and dry locations; Flowering period: July.
• 'Tango Strawberry and Cream': Delicate, dusky pink primed, star-shaped flowers with a dark pink throat; Flowering period: July.
• 'Whistler': Brown throat on salmon-colored, star-shaped petals; Flowering period: July; for full sun and dry locations.
• 'Cinnabar': bright red star-shaped flowers with dark brown speckles; Growth height up to 80 cm.
• 'Connecticut Glow': Lots of dark carmine-red, star-shaped flowers; Flowering period: July; Growth height up to 1 m.
• 'Enchantment': star- to cup-shaped flowers in bright orange with black flecks; Flowering period: June; Growth height up to 1 m.
• 'Fire King': Striking red flowers that protrude from the side of the stem; Growth height over 1 m.
• 'Nutmegger': Sunny yellow, nodding flowers with dark brown spots; Flowering period: July; Growth height over 1 m.
• 'Annemarie’s Dream ‘: White, double flowers; Flowering period: May - August; Growth height up to 1 m; sunny location.

• 'Night Flyer': dark purple flower with petals curved backwards; Flowering period: May - August; Height about 1 m; sunny location.
• 'Luxor': beautiful white flowers with a honey-yellow throat and orange dots; Flowering period: May - August, growth height up to 1 m; sunny to partially shaded location.
• ‚Linda‘: Yellow-red flowers like the sunrise; Flowering period: May - August; Growth height up to 1 m; sunny location.
• 'Forever Susan': red pattern on an orange background; Flowering period: May - August; Growth height up to 1 m; sunny location; hardy.
• 'Spring Pink': double pink flower; Flowering period: May - August; Height: up to 1 m; winterproof.
• 'Cancun': beautiful color gradient from yellow to orange to red; Flowering period: June - August; Growth height up to 1 m; sunny location; hardy.
• 'Rosellas’s Dream': pink flowers with old pink tips; Flowering period: June - August; partially shaded to sunny location.
• 'Cocktail Twins': Double orange-red flowers with yellow shading; Flowering period: May to August; Height: up to 90 cm; sunny locations.
• 'Red Electric': Fragrant red flowers with a pink border; Flowering period: June - August; Stature over 1 m; sunny to partially shaded location.
• 'Little Kiss': Lots of small, peach-colored flowers; Growth height up to 1 m.

3. Tiger Lilies (Lilium lancifolium)

The exotic Asians are guaranteed winter-proof and extremely undemanding about the location offered. The plants, which rarely grow taller than a meter, thrive in sun, partial shade and shade. The flowering time is mostly from June to August, but also into September. The flowers are usually noticeably spotted.

• 'Flore Pleno': Orange flowers dotted with dark brown speckles; Flowering period: July - August; Growth height over 1 m.
• 'Splendens': Orange turban flowers with brown spots; Flowering period: July - September.
• 'Pink Flavor': dusky pink flowers with a golden yellow center and matt pink speckles; Flowering period: July - September.
• 'Salmon Tiger': salmon-colored, speckled flowers.
• 'Tiger White': Delicate, white flowers.
• 'Flore Plenum': Double orange flowers with black dots.
• 'Double Sensation': Double, dark pink flowers with a white throat and tips.

4. Turk's Covenant Lilies (Lilium matagon)

Turk's Union lilies stand out with their strongly curved back petals and small flowers that are reminiscent of a turban. They reach heights of growth of up to two meters and bloom from June to August. Their lovely scent spreads especially in the evenings. The small Turkish lilies of the Martagon-Sections are particularly good for rock gardens.

• 'Album': White flowers.
• 'Pink Morning': Pink flowers with dark, fine speckles; sunny to partially shaded location.
• 'Orange Jam': Warm orange flowers; sunny to partially shaded location.
• 'Maroon King': flowers in dark Bordeaux with orange rings; sunny to partially shaded location.
• 'Guinea Gold': bright yellow flowers with red dots; sunny to partially shaded location.
• 'Manitoba Morning': flowers in a strong salmon shade with pink, yellow-rimmed points; sunny to partially shaded location.
• 'Terrace City': Orange flowers with pink mottling and the back of the petals.
• 'Peppard Gold': Pink-dotted flowers with a golden yellow background and a pink shimmer.

5. Trumpet Lilies (Lilium shelves)

Trumpet or king lilies usually only start to bloom in mid-June. In the wild forms, the slightly drooping flowers are usually white. But hybrid crosses bring a lot of color to the trumpet lilies. The funnel-shaped flowers have slightly arched petals. When fully grown, the lilies are between one and one and a half meters high.

• 'African Queen': Orange flowers.
• 'Golden Splendor': golden yellow, large flowers.
• 'Lady Alice': yellow flowers with an orange throat.
• 'Pink Perfection': dark pink flowers.
• 'Regular Album': Imaginative white flowers with a yellow throat.
• 'Casa Rosa': Pink flowers with a hint of apricot and red.
• 'White Heaven': Heavenly white flowers.
• 'Lankon': White flowers with purple flecks.
• 'Triumphator': Piercing pink throat on white-primed petals.
• 'Royal Gold': bright yellow flowers.

6. Fire lilies (Lilium bulbiferum)

The flowers of the varieties of this species and their hybrids are mostly orange-red with brown speckles. With its red and black spots, the stem is reminiscent of flamed wood. The flowers are erect in umbels and appear between May and July. Unlike most types of lily, fire lilies form their bulbs in the leaf axils.

7. Madonna lilies (Lilium candidum)

The fragrant flowers of the Madonna Lily are innocently white as a wild form. They grow up to a meter tall and are hardy. Her flowers, which show up from May to September, are the epitome of the elegance conveyed by lilies. The religious symbolism is reflected in somatic names such as 'Saint Antonius'.

8. Japanese mountain lilies (Lilium auratum)

Japanese mountain lilies or golden ribbon lilies have high stems of up to one and a half meters at the end of which are enthroned with large, bowl-shaped flowers. The wild forms have white flowers with a yellow central rib and reddish-brown spots that smell intensely and appear from August to September. The sorts ,Miss Lucy',' Fata Morgana 'and' Red Twin 'offer particularly beautiful double flowers.

9. Splendid lilies (Lilium speciosum)

The species has small flowers with petals that curve strongly backwards. It prefers a sunny location where it shows its flowers from August to September.

• 'Rubrum': Pink flowers with pink speckles that lighten towards the edge.
• 'Album': pure white, red or pink flowers with dark anthers.
• 'Uchida': Wavy pink petals with pink dots.

10. Easter lilies (Lilium longiflorum)

Easter lilies are not just pretty to look at. They are also the only species of lily of economic importance. The plants, which grow to a height of about one meter, bloom from May to June. The strongly fragrant flowers are trumpet-shaped and horizontally to slightly nodding. Apart from a touch of green at the base of the outer petals, the flowers are completely white. The plants like to put their roots in calcareous soils.

• 'Nellie White': White flowers with a yellow throat.
• 'Deliana': creamy yellow flowers.
• 'Elegant Lady': Pink flowers with a pretty pattern.
• 'Triumphator': White flowers with a pink throat.
• 'White Elegance': Lots of white flowers.

Since the beauty of your lilies does not only depend on the species, but also on professional care, you will find everything about correct care and the ideal location of lilies here.

Hardy species of lily

Some species of lily are at home in temperate latitudes in the northern hemisphere. So they are used to not too harsh winters and that Wintering of the lily species is also possible in our climate with the right protection outside in the bed. The plants pull back into their bulbs in autumn to sprout again in spring. Most of the garden lilies offered as hardy belong to the Asian hybrid division. They reach heights of up to one meter and have several star-shaped flowers that bloom from June or July. A sunny to partially shaded location with fresh, humus and nutrient-rich and well drained soil is preferred. Here are a few particularly robust varieties:

• 'Monte Negro': Orange, early flowering variety.
• 'Nettys Pride': deep purple flowers with white tips.
• 'Grand Cru': Warm orange-red flowers.
• 'Mapira': Elegant dark purple flowers.
• 'Yellow County': Small, sun-yellow flowers.
• Nepal lily like 'Kushi Maya' with crimson petals and white-yellow tips.
• 'Forever Susan': Red pattern on an orange background.
• 'Spring Pink': Double pink flower.
• 'Cancun': Beautiful color gradient from yellow to orange to red.

But not only the Asian division survives the winter in the garden. The following species are also hardy with us with appropriate winter protection:

Tree lily: Fragrant large flowers between June and August; can be up to 2.5 m high; Location: Sunny and sheltered from the wind with well drained, nutrient-rich and humus soil; hardy varieties: 'Anastasia' with pink flowers, 'Honeymoon' with sun-yellow flowers, 'Lavon‘With yellow flowers and a red throat, 'On Stage' with delicate pink flowers and a yellow central rib, 'Boogie Woogie' with honey-yellow flowers that merge into copper towards the edge.

Panther lily (Lilium pardalinum): American Section; the flowers, which are rolled back and shaped like a turkish collar, appear in August; the flowers shine in yellow-orange with red tips and brown spots; Growth height of up to over 2 m; Location with lime-free soil.

Canada lily (Lilium canadense): American Section; in June and July the umbel-shaped inflorescences bloom, which contain up to 20 flowers; Stature over 1 m; Location with lime-free soil.

Oriental lily (Lilium oriental): Several, strongly scented flowers; Flowering period: July - August; Flower colors: white and yellow or pink; Petals usually curled or curled; particularly beautiful cut flowers; Location: partial shade with calcareous soil; hardy varieties: 'Casa Blanca', 'Josephine‘, ‚Muscadet‘, 'Pimento'.

Trumpet Lily(Lilium aurelianum): Several trumpet-shaped, pendent flowers; strong, sweet fragrance; Heights of up to 1.5 m; Flowering period: July - August; Location: light shade; hardy varieties: 'Royal Gold', 'Pink Perfection', 'White Elegance'.

Turk's cap lily (Lilium martagon, Lilium cernuum): Up to seven delicately scented flowers shaped like a turban; Location: partial shade with calcareous soil; hardy varieties: 'Manitoba Morning', 'Orange Jam', 'Guinea Gold'.

Fire lily (Lilium bulbiferum): Mostly orange flowers with brown spots; Umbellate flowers with up to 20 flowers and 1 m in height; Location: Sunny and slightly calcareous soil.

Tiger lily (Lilium lancifolium): Several pendulous flowers with backward curved petals and speckles.

Madonna Lily (Lilium candidum): Canadium section; up to eight beautiful white flowers; Growth height up to 1 m; hardy with winter protection; Location: Sunny with fresh and loose, chalky soil.

Japanese mountain lily (Lilium auratum): Several fragrant, large flowers on a stem; winterproof with light winter protection; Location: cool and humid; hardy varieties: 'Cupid', 'Sphinx', 'Nobility'.

Lily species for the pot

Smaller varieties are particularly suitable for growing in pots. But you can also cultivate larger lilies in a correspondingly large pot. Representatives of the oriental lilies and their hybrids are particularly suitable here. With the following varieties you can bring the blooming splendor of the lilies to the balcony or living room:

• 'Apricot Fudge': Showy spherical buds and orange flowers; Flowering period: June - July; Growth height up to 80 cm.
• 'Avignon': Asian hybrid with scarlet flowers; Flowering period: May - July; Growth height up to 60 cm.
• 'Anges Dream': tall variety.
• ‚Conca d’Or‘: Several large yellow flowers with a white border; Flowering period: July - August; Growth height up to 1 m.
• 'Corsage': pink-yellowish petals with pink spots; Flowering period: June - July; Growth height up to 60 cm.
• 'Eyeliner': Elegant white flower with purple speckles and borders; Flowering period: June - July; Growth height up to 60 cm.

• 'Hotline': White flowers that turn into strong pink towards the edge; Flowering period: August - September, growth height up to 1 m.
• 'Le Rève': bright pink flowers; Flowering period: July - August; Growth height up to 80 cm.
• 'Marco Polo': delicate pink flowers with pink flecks; Flowering period: July - August; Growth height up to 1.5 m.
• 'Mona Lisa': fragrant pink and pink flowers; Flowering period: May - September; Growth height up to 90 cm.
• Varieties of the golden ribbon lilies (Lilium auratum): White flower with yellow coloring in the leaf vein area and small red speckles; Flowering period: July - August; Growth height up to 1 m.

Lilies do not have excessive care demands. If you still want to do something good for your flowers, you will find tips in this article Care of lilies - for blooming flowers in the bed or pot.