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 species of lilies (Lilium) are among the oldest ornamental plants of all. Looking at the large, elegant flowers of lilies, however, one immediately understands why the plants have long attracted the interest of avid flower lovers. Today, nine divisions are distinguished in lily breeding, which serve to classify over 2000 species and their varieties and hybrids. Eight of the divisions apply to hybrids and provide information about the crossability between the species. Intensive crossing has 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 hardy. We will help you to find a particularly beautiful species for pot cultivation or the garden.

The 10 most beautiful types of lilies with countless varieties

You can supposedly argue about beauty. Which of the countless species and their hybrids are the most beautiful is of course a matter of individual taste. With such a selection of flower colours, shapes and sizes, however, one thing is certain: every flower lover will find a variety that will break their heart. Oriental and Asian hybrids in particular form colorful, large flowers that literally fight for the attention of their viewers. 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 good as cut flowers.

• 'Casa Blanca': Tropical white flowers with striking red stigmas; flowering period: August - September; growth height over 1 m; sunny to semi-shady location; hardy and suitable for pot culture.
• '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 middle of the leaf; flowering period: July - August;growth height up to 1 m; also suitable as a pot plant; partially shaded location.
• 'Tigerwoods': White-purple tabby flowers; flowering period: July - August; growth height over 1 m; sunny location.
• 'Roselily Carolina': Beautiful white flowers with a honey-yellow midrib; 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; growth height about 90 cm; for full sun and dry locations.
• 'Gold Band': white-ground flowers with yellow midrib and red-orange speckles; flowering period: August - September; growth height about 90 cm; for full sun and dry locations.

• 'Blushing Girl': Playful, white, double flowers with a yellow midrib and scattered red dots; growth height about 80 cm; full sun.
• 'Exotic Sun': double yellow flowers with a wavy edge; growth height about 1 m; partially shaded to shaded locations.
• 'Montego Bay': Warm yellow-red flowers; flowering period: July - August; Height of growth more than 1 m, semi-shady location.
• 'Extravaganza': white flowers with pink speckles; flowering period: August - September; growth height about 90 cm; for full sun and dry locations.
• 'Dizzy': white flowers with pink midrib and conspicuous pink speckles; growth height over 1 m; sunny to semi-shady 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, soft pink flowers; flowering period: July - August; hardy to - 15 °C; partially shaded location.
• 'Magic Star': double flowers in pink with pink midrib; growth height over 1 m; sunny to semi-shady location.

2. Asian Hybrid

Asiatic lilies and their hybrids come in three different flower shapes. The flowers can be elegant upwards and star-shaped, sideways and star-shaped, or nodding with petals curving backwards. A very special feast for the eyes are the filled varieties, which are a sinus-friendly alternative for pollen allergy sufferers. The hybrids are crosses from various Asian lilies such as the tiger lily and are extremely easy to care for. The main flowering period 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 time: July.
• 'Tango Strawberry and Cream': Delicate dusky pink primed, star-shaped flowers with dark pink throat; Flowering time: July.
• 'Whistler': brown throat on salmon-colored, star-shaped petals; Flowering time: 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': Many dark crimson, star-shaped flowers; Flowering time: July; Growth height up to 1 m.
• 'Enchantment': Star to cup shaped flowers of bright orange speckled with black; flowering time: June; Growth height up to 1 m.
• 'Fire King': Striking red flowers that protrude laterally from the stem; Growth height over 1 m.
• 'Nutmegger': Sunny yellow, nodding flowers with dark brown spots; Flowering time: 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 backward-curved petals; flowering period: May - August; growth height about 1 m; sunny location.
• 'Luxor': Beautiful white flowers with a honey yellow throat and orange dots; Flowering time: May - August, growth height up to 1 m; sunny to semi-shady 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 orange background; flowering period: May - August; growth height up to 1 m; sunny location; hardy.
• 'Spring Pink': double pink flower; flowering period: May - August; growth height: up to 1 m; winterized.
• 'Cancun': Beautiful 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 dusky pink tips; flowering period: June - August; partially shaded to sunny location.
• 'Cocktail Twins': double orange-red flowers tinged with yellow; flowering period: May to August; growth height: up to 90 cm; sunny locations.
• 'Red Electric': Fragrant red flowers with pink edges; flowering period: June - August; growth height over 1 m; sunny to semi-shady location.
• 'Little Kiss': Many small, peach-colored flowers; Growth height up to 1 m.

3." Tiger Lilies (Lilium lancifolium)

The exotic Asians are guaranteed to be hardy andextremely undemanding about the given location. Rarely growing taller than one meter, the plants thrive in sun, semi-shade and shade. The flowering period is usually from June to August, but also into September. The flowers are usually conspicuously mottled.

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

4. Turk's Cap Lilies (

Lilium matagon)

Turk's cap lilies stand out with their strongly backward-curving petals and small flowers 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 evening hours. The small martagon lilies from the Martagon section are particularly suitable for rock gardens.

• 'Album' : White flowers.
• 'Pink Morning': Pink flowers with dark, fine speckles; sunny to partially shaded location.
• 'Orange Marmalade': Warm orange flowers; sunny to semi-shady location.
• 'Maroon King': flowers in dark bordeaux with orange rings; sunny to semi-shady location.
• 'Guinea Gold': bright yellow flowers with red dots; sunny to semi-shady location.
• 'Manitoba Morning': flowers in a strong salmon shade with pink dots edged with yellow; sunny to semi-shady location.
• Terrace City: Orange flowers with pink speckles and reverse petals.
• 'Peppard Gold': Pink dotted flowers with a golden yellow base and a pink tinge.

5. Trumpet Lilies (Lilium regale)

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 petals that curve slightly backwards. The lilies are fully grown between one andone 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': Fancy white flowers with a yellow throat.
• 'Casa Rosa': Pink flowers with hints of apricot and red.
• 'White Heaven': Heavenly white flowers.
• 'Lankon': White flowers with purple speckles.
• 'Triumphator': Pungent 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 usually orange-red with brown speckles. The stem is reminiscent of flamed wood with its red and black spots. The flowers, standing upright in umbels, appear between May and July. Unlike most lily species, tiger lilies form their bulbs in the leaf axils.

7. Madonna Lilies (Lilium candidum)

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

8. Japanese Mountain Lilies (Lilium auratum)

Japanese mountain lilies or gold ribbon lilies have tall stems of up to one and a half meters at the end of which large, cup-shaped flowers are enthroned. The wild forms have white flowers with a yellow midrib and red-brown spots, which are intensely scented and appear from August to September. The varieties 'Miss Lucy', 'Fata Morgana' and 'Red Twin' offer particularly beautiful double flowers.

9. Glory Lilies (Lilium speciosum)

The species has small flowers with strongly arched petals. It prefers a nice sunny spot where it 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': Curled pink petals with pinkScore.

10. Easter Lilies (Lilium longif.webplorum)

Easter lilies aren't just pretty to look at. They are also the only lily species of economic importance. The plants, which grow about one meter tall, bloom from May to June. The strongly fragrant flowers are trumpet-shaped and horizontal to slightly nodding. Except for a hint of green at the base of the outer petals, the flowers are all white. The plants like to put their roots in calcareous soil.

• 'Nellie White': White flowers with 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.

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

Hardy Lilies

Some lily species are native to temperate latitudes in the northern hemisphere. They are therefore used to winters that are not too severe and overwintering of the lily species is also possible in our climate with the right protection outside in the bed. The plants retreat into their bulbs in autumn to sprout again in spring. Most garden lilies offered as hardy belong to the Asiatic hybrid division. They reach heights of up to one meter and have multiple star-shaped flowers that bloom from June or July. A sunny to semi-shady location with fresh, humus-rich and nutrient-rich and well-drained soil is preferred. Here are a few particularly hardy varieties:

• 'Monte Negro': Orange, early flowering variety.
• 'Netty's 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 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 appropriate winter protection:

Tree Lily: Fragrant large flowersbetween June and August; can grow up to 2.5 m tall; Site: Sunny and sheltered from the wind with well-drained, nutrient-rich and humus-rich soil; hardy cultivars: 'Anastasia' with pink flowers, 'Honeymoon' with sun-yellow flowers, 'Lavon' with yellow flowers and red throat, 'On Stage' with soft pink flowers and a yellow midrib, 'Boogie Woogie' with honey-yellow flowers that tend to Fade into the copper towards the edge.

Panther Lily (Lilium pardalinum): American section; the curled-back, Turk's cap-shaped flowers appear in August; the flowers are yellow-orange with red tips and brown spots; growth height of up to more than 2 m; Site with lime-free soil.

Canada Lily (Lilium canadense): American section; in June and July the umbel-shaped inflorescences bloom, containing up to 20 flowers; growth height over 1 m; Site with lime-free soil.

Oriental Lily (Lilium oriental): Multiple, strongly scented flowers; Flowering: July - August; Flower Colors: White and yellow or pink; Petals mostly ruffled or wavy; particularly beautiful cut flowers; Location: partial shade with calcareous soil; hardy varieties: 'Casa Blanca', 'Josephine', 'Muscadet', 'Pimento'.

Trumpet Lily (Lilium aurelianum): Several trumpet-shaped, pendulous flowers; strong, sweet scent; 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 cultivars: 'Manitoba Morning', 'Orange Marmalade', 'Guinea Gold'.

Tiger Lily (Lilium bulbiferum): Usually orange flower with brown spots; Umbelliferous flowers with up to 20 flowers and 1 m in height; Site: Sunny and slightly calcareous soil.

Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium): Multiple pendulous flowers with reflexed 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; Position: Sunny with fresh and loose, calcareous soil.

Japanese mountain lily (Lilium auratum): Several fragrant, large flowers on one stem; hardy with light winter protection; Location: Cooland wet; hardy varieties: 'Cupido', 'Sphinx', 'Nobility'.

Types of lilies for pots

Smaller varieties are particularly suitable for cultivation 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 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': Asiatic 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 white edges; 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 bloom with purple speckles and rim; flowering period: June - July; Growth height up to 60 cm.

• 'Hotline': white flowers that fade into bright pink towards the edge; Flowering time: 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': Soft pink flowers with pink speckles; 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 Goldband Lilies (Lilium auratum): White flower with yellow tint in leaf vein area and small red speckles; flowering period: July - August; Growth height up to 1 m.

Lilies do not require excessive care. If you still want to do something good for your flowers, you will find tips for caring for lilies in this article - for a blooming splendor in beds or pots.