The Lilium is a bulbous perennial from the lily family (Liliaceae) and is commonly called (true) lily. The genus contains over a hundred species and the majority is found in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Lilium is a perennial. The roots do not die in winter, like with many other bulbs. If you want to transplant the bulbs, try to keep as many roots as possible intact and do not let them dry out. The best time for transplanting lilies is in autumn when the plant has died above ground.
As described in the introduction of the category ‘bulbs, corms, tubers and tuberous roots’, the bulb of the lily does not have a protective papery skin (tunic). This makes the bulb more vulnerable and it can dry out more easily. Put the bulbs in the ground as soon as possible after you have bought/received them to prevent them from drying out. That can be in autumn or spring. Plant them so deep that there is at least 10 cm (4 inches) of soil above the bulb. The depth is important because many lilies also grow stem-roots. The stem-roots help the intake of water and help anchor in the ground. In the first year after planting, the roots still need to develop which is why they need a bit more watering. Once the Lilium is established it can tolerate quite some drought.
Most lilies prefer a light location with at least half a day of direct sun. Provide protection against the wind, because the Lilium easily catches too much wind with its height and many and large flowers. The lily does perfect in between other perennials. They provide extra support and keep the roots cool, which they prefer. The very tall lilies may need some staking to support the large blooms. Most lilies are not very fussy about the soil as long as it is well-drained. Cover the ground on top of the bulb with leaves or something to protect it against frost in the winter.
Lilies form offsets. You may find small bulblets which are clustered along the underground part of the stem. Some lilies, like the tiger lily, may make stem bulbils above ground in the axils of their leaves. Those bulblets and bulbils will bloom after a few years. You can also break some scales from the side of the bulb and place those in the ground. New bulbs will form at the base of the scales. They require 6 to 12 weeks chilling in the refrigerator to start growing and it will take a few years before they will bloom. You can also propagate some lilies from seed.
Voles and other critters like to eat the bulbs. You can plant the bulb in an open-top, wire mesh cage to protect it. Slugs and snails also like to eat lilies. Also the scarlet lily beetle and especially its larvae can be a threat to your lilies. It might be best if you can easily reach your lilies to hunt for the scarlet lily beetle. Otherwise the lilies may be too heavily damaged before you are aware of them.
Cut the spent flowers to prevent the energy from going to the seed production instead of into the bulb. Leave the leaves and stem until they have died off completely in order to replenish the bulb with nutrients and then cut them down to the ground.
All parts of the Lilium may be toxic to cats, also the pollen.
The flowers make very good cut flowers. Remove only 1/3 of the stem so that the rest of the foliage to replenish the bulbs for next year’s blooms. Do not place the vase close to ripening fruit and not in the sun. Stains from the pollen are best removed with a vacuum cleaner, adhesive tape or a brush. If there is still a stain, place the fabric in the sun and it will disappear.
Nowadays lilies are classified in 9 divisions. They are based on flower and leaf characteristics and parentage. By crossing the wild species and their varieties (from division 9) new lilies are created with characteristics from several species. These lilies are called hybrids. The 9 divisions are:
1. Asiatic hybrids
Hybrids derived from the following species and interspecific hybrids: amabile, bulbiferum, callosum, cernuum, concolor, dauricum, davidii, L. × hollandicum, lancifolium (syn. Tigrinum (tiger lily)), lankongense, leichtlinii, L. × maculatum, pumilum, L. × scottiae, wardii and wilsonii.
These lilies usually have non-fragrant, small to medium-sized flowers and bloom in June – July. There are a few to fairly numerous amounts of flowers on a stem. The leaves are narrow to medium in width and scattered on the stem. The flowers are bowl-shaped, flat or with recurved petals, usually with an open centre and are up-, out- or down-facing. They have bright colours (white, pink, orange, red and purple) with many shades in between. The height varies between 30 cm and 1.5 m (12 inches and 5 feet).
2. Martagon hybrids
Hybrids derived from the following species and interspecific hybrids: L. × dalhansonii, hansonii, martagon, medeoloides and tsingtauense.
These lilies have small, often numerous and mostly down-facing flowers with rather thick, recurved tepals. The flowers often have a Turk’s cap form, which is why they are called Turk’s cap lilies. They bloom in June – July and prefer a bit more shade and moist, well-drained soil. The flowers usually have spots and often an unpleasant scent. The leaves are whorled around the stem and are often rather broad. Martagon hybrids do not typically grow well in hot, humid climates. The height varies between 40 cm and 1.5 m (16 inches and 5 feet).
3. Euro-Caucasian (Candidum) hybrids
Hybrids derived from the following species and interspecific hybrids: candidum (Madonna lily), chalcedonicum, kesselringianum, monadelphum, pomponium, pyrenaicum and L. × testaceum.
These lilies have small to medium-sized flowers in rather pale shades and often scented. The flowers are bell-shaped to Turk’s cap-shaped. There are a few to fairly numerous amounts of flowers on a stem that are often down-facing in a relatively short inflorescence. The leaves are scattered on the stem. These lilies bloom in June – July and prefer a more chalky soil and being planted closer to the surface. The foliage appears in the winter. The height varies between 50 cm and 1.5 m (20 inches and 5 feet).
4. American hybrids
Hybrids derived from the following American species and interspecific hybrids: bolanderi, L. × burbankii, canadense, columbianum, grayi, humboldtii, kelleyanum, kelloggii, maritimum, michauxii, michiganense, occidentale, L. × pardaboldtii, pardalinum, parryi, parvum, philadelphicum, pitkinense, superbum, vollmeri, washingtonianum and wigginsii.
These lilies have small to medium-sized flowers in a pyramidal inflorescence. The flowers are mostly down-facing and have little scent. The flower colour is often strong yellow to orange or orange-red often with spots. The centre and tepal-tips often have a contrasting colour. The tepals are rather narrow and usually gently to strongly reflexed. The leaves are usually whorled (at least in part) around the stem. These lilies bloom in June – July. The height varies between 30 cm and 2 m (12 inches and 7 feet).
5. Longiflorum hybrids
Hybrids or selections derived exclusively from: formosanum, longiflorum, philippinense and wallichianum.
These lilies originally have only white flowers, but nowadays they are also available in pink and yellow. The stem reaches a height of about 50 cm to 1.5 m (20 inches to 5 feet) with a few medium-sized to large, trumpet-shaped flowers. The flowers are mostly up- or out-facing. The leaves are scattered on the stem and narrow to medium in width. These lilies bloom in June – July with sweet scented flowers.
6. Trumpet and Aurelian hybrids
Hybrids derived from the following species and interspecific hybrids: L. × aurelianense, brownii, L. × centigale, henryi, L. × imperiale, L. × kewense, leucanthum, regale, rosthornii, sargentiae, sulphureum and L. × sulphurgale (but excluding hybrids of henryi with all species listed in Division 7). Aurelian hybrids are derived from a combination of henryi and trumpet lilies.
These lilies have medium-sized to large flowers which can be trumpet-shaped, bowl-shaped or flat with tepals reflexed. The flower colours are white, cream, yellow, orange or pink often with a contrasting throat and/or strong bands of colour on the outside. The trumpet-shaped flowers are usually scented and without spots. The other types usually have spots. The tepal-tips are often reflexed. The lily bloom in July - August. The leaves are scattered on the stem and narrow to medium in width. The stems reach a height of about 90 cm to 2 m (35 inches to 7 feet).
7. Oriental hybrids
Hybrids derived from the following species and interspecific hybrids: auratum, japonicum, nobilissimum, L. × parkmanii, rubellum and speciosum (but excluding all hybrids of these with henryi).
This lily usually has medium-sized to very large flowers. There are a few to fairly numerous amounts of flowers on a stem. The flowers are usually bowl-shaped, flat or with recurved tepals and are mostly up- or out-facing. The inner tepals are often very broad with often ruffled margins and usually overlapping at the base. The flower colours are mostly white to pink to purplish red, some are golden yellow. The ground colour is often white with contrasting colour as a central ray or spread over the whole tepal except at the margins. Spots can be present or not. These lilies have medium to strong scented flowers in August - September. The stems reach a height of about 60 cm to 2.5 m (24 inches to 8 feet). The leaves are scattered on the stem and are broad to very broad. These lilies prefer a more acidic soil than other lilies. They prefer more sunlight and are less hardy.
8. Other hybrids/interdivisional hybrids
These are hybrids that are not covered in the previous divisions 1 – 7. This also includes lilies that have derived from the crossing of hybrids from the different divisions such as:
LA hybrids (longiflorum/Asiatic)
LO hybrids (longiflorum/Oriental)
OA hybrids (Oriental/Asiatic)
OT hybrids or Orienpets (Oriental/Trumpet)
Also the hybrids of henryi with auratum, japonicum, nobilissimum, L. × parkmanii, rubellum and speciosum are placed here that are excluded in divisions 6 and 7.
9. Species and cultivars of species
This division includes all species and their subspecies, varieties and forms, and cultivars selected therefrom, excluding those derived exclusively from any one of the following: formosanum, longiflorum, philippinense and wallichianum, which are placed in division 5.
The information in de specifications is an average for all lilies. This can vary per species and hybrid. Look at the specific information that is given with your bulb.
Attracts bees: yes
Characteristic: newly emerging every year
Exposure: sun/ part shade
Flower colour: various
Flowering time: June - July
Foliage colour: green
Fragrant flower: yes
Hardiness: -20 ºC (-4 ºF)
Height: 30 cm to 2.5 m (12 inches to 8 feet)
Soil: normal/ moist