The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Lilies for Your Garden

“What are the best lilies for my garden?” is a frequently asked question in the gardening community. The wrong type of lilies for your garden can lead to disappointment when these stunning flowers fail to thrive in the conditions your garden offers. Based on our expertise in lilies, here are the different types of lilies suitable for various settings.

What Are the Best Lilies for My Garden?

To find the best lilies for your garden, explore the unique qualities of various types, including the lively Asiatic, distinctive Tiger, and shade-tolerant Martagon lilies. You can also consider the classic elegance of Longiflorum, the fragrant blooms of Trumpet and Aurelian hybrids, the intense scent of Oriental lilies, and the interesting combinations found in Interdivision Hybrids.

Lilies can be found in gardens throughout the United States. Their beauty is timeless, and their ability to survive a diverse range of soils and environments means there's one perfect for your garden!

Most Common Lilies for Planting in Gardens

These are among the best lilies to plant for successful growth and abundant blooms. Now, let’s dive in to find some favorite types!

1. Asiatic Lilies

Asiatic lilies are the most abundant of the lilies in American gardens. They love full sun to partial sun conditions. They are easy to grow in containers and are reliable performers year after year.

• Tiny Ink Lily: This Asiatic lily showcases charming, dark burgundy centers and red tips. Its compact size and lively color make it an excellent choice for adding pops of intense color.
• Matrix Lily: This lily features magenta-coral flowers and orange centers. Matrix lilies are popular for their early bloom time and ability to create a cheerful and colorful garden display.
• White Cocotte Lily: Do you want a lily with a pristine color and reliable blooming? This Asiatic variety produces pure white, pollenless blooms on tall stems that create a serene and bright spot in the garden.
  

2. Tiger Lilies

Tiger lilies stand 4 to 6 feet tall and make beautiful specimens when in bloom. Tiger lilies can be referred to as many different species, although in general, they mean lilies like: 

• Pink Tiger Lily: These heavily spotted pink flowers have distinct downward-facing blooms. Its unique spotted appearance and vigorous growth habit bring an exotic and dramatic touch to garden beds. 
• Citronelle Tiger Lily: Looking for yellow blooms with recurved petals and dark, speckled accents? This unusual color combination brings an eye-catching element to the summer garden.
• Flore Peno Lily: Known for bright and showy, orange-colored double flowers, this lily creates a fuller, more ruffled appearance. These unique blooms add a touch of novelty and extended interest to the garden.
  

3. Martagon Lilies (Division II Lilies) 

For those with alkaline soil (much of the Midwest), these lilies will most likely be very happy in your garden. They can be subtle or the center of attention as their heights range from 4 to 7 feet tall. They enjoy full sun and some partial shade for zones with intense afternoon heat.

• Claude Shride Lily: A deep burgundy lily that we stock in spring and in the fall. It is very popular due to its dark and pronounced blooms. 
• Sunny Morning Lily: This yellow-blossomed lily dazzles in the garden. Its sunny disposition and early bloom can bring a warm and welcoming feel to the garden in the early summer.
• Manitoba Morning Lily: Usually available in autumn for us, Manitoba's gold, pink, and umber colors make it the center of attraction in any garden. Its hardiness and showy blooms make it a reliable and attractive choice for northern gardens.
  

4. Longiflorium Lilies (Division V Lily)

At every Easter season, millions of Longiflorium or Easter lilies are harvested in America. If you live in USDA Climate Zones 5-8, then there is a good chance you will see it again next year. 

• White Easter Lily: This classic lily produces various pastel colors, including pink, lavender, and yellow. Its elegant form and pristine color make it a traditional favorite for both indoor decoration and adding a touch of sophistication to the garden.
• White American Lily: These are white flowers with pale green tips and deep yellow anthers. Such lilies bring a sense of purity and grace to the garden, often with a lovely fragrance.
• Elegant Lady Lily: This lily features pale creamy yellow blooms with a soft pink edge. Plant this lily to add a touch of sophistication and beauty to any garden setting.
  

5. Trumpet and Aurelian Hybrid Lilies (Division VI Lily)

Trumpet lilies are known for their long and impressive trumpet-shaped blossoms, while Aurelian Lilies come in a range of shapes. They thrive in acidic and alkaline soils, which makes them available to the majority of gardeners in the United States. 

• Lady Alice Lily: White and yellow-orange blossoms hang gracefully. This lily won't mind some dappled shade.
• Golden Splendor Lily: This lily can reach six feet tall and is quite impressive to see with its bold and golden blossoms. It commands your attention and will be a lily you look forward to each summer.
• African Queen Lily: This lily is best known for its unique colored blossom – orange and apricot mingle together beautifully and gracefully bow down. Its warm, exotic color and impressive size make it a bold and beautiful addition to the garden.
  

6. Oriental Hybrids (Division VII Lily)

Oriental lilies are in high demand for their double-flowered and non-pollen-producing stems. They are hardy in Zones 3-9, which makes them the lily with the widest availability to gardeners. 

• Casa Blanca Lily: Casa Blancas can reach six to seven feet in height. It often grows large, outward-facing, bowl-shaped, milky-white flowers with gracefully recurved petals and contrasting red-orange anthers.
• Stargazer Lily: The most popular and widely grown among Oriental lilies. It's known for its pink, red, and white blooms with reflexed tips and long stamens with heavy orange anthers.
• Mona Lisa Lily: If you love Orientals, but are looking for something smaller, then this is a great option for you. Its beautiful blooms are pink flowers edged in white and elegantly recurved petals.
  

7. Roselilies

Roselilies are also popular due to their stunning double blooms that resemble roses. Despite common Roselily diseases, their mild fragrance and lack of pollen also make them highly desirable as cut flowers for homes and events.

• Samantha Roselily: Their upright, facing pink and white blooms make them very popular with floral designers and market gardens alike. Its unusual flower form and soft color provide a romantic and long-lasting display in the garden.
• Aisha Roselily: Large double-white blossoms will have you searching for more each year. It's a great choice for those who love the look of lilies yet want to avoid pollen.
• Zeta Roselily: Zeta features the most pristine shade of cream and white. Its double blooms offer a long-lasting and sophisticated touch to gardens.
  

Interdivision Hybrid Lilies (Division VIII) 

This family is filled with sorts of fun and quirky lilies that have been bred across divisions. This family is fairly easy to grow. 

1. Longiflorium-Asiatic Hybrids (LA Hybrid Lilies)

LA Hybrid lilies are favorites of the floral industry as they come in a wide range of colors and upright forms. Their ease of cultivation, good disease resistance, and suitability for both gardens and cut flowers contribute to their widespread use.

• Eyeliner Lily: This eye-catching lily comes with pristine white petals and chocolate-black edges. Its dramatic and defined look adds a modern and artistic flair to garden borders and containers.
• Brindisi Lily: This charming hybrid lily has upward-facing, soft pink flowers. Its bright color and reliable blooming make it a cheerful addition to any sunny garden spot.
• Apricot Fudge Lily: Creating a full and ruffled appearance, this lily is known for its warm peach-apricot-toned double flowers. Its unique color and multi-petaled blooms add a touch of warmth and texture to the garden.

2. Oriental - Trumpets (OT Hybrid lilies) or Orienpets 

OT Hybrid lilies, also known as Orienpets, are highly favored for their exceptionally large and fragrant flowers. Their impressive size, diverse color range, and robust nature make them a popular choice for gardeners seeking dramatic and long-lasting blooms.

• Black Beauty Lily: Looking for a dramatic, dark, and exotic lily? These raspberry-maroon flowers with a contrasting apple-green throat make it a striking and unforgettable garden specimen.
• Honeymoon Lily: This classic lily is a delight in nighttime gardens. Its yellow and cream blooms are often planted near Casa Blanca and other white flowers to help make those white flowers stand out even more.
• Night Rider Lily: This intriguing lily features glossy, dark purple, almost black flowers. Its unique coloration adds a touch of mystery and elegance to the twilight garden.

Other Notable Lily Species

These Division IX Lilies are not native to America. However, their selection and breeding for specific ornamental qualities, as well as their adaptability to different growing conditions, have made many of them excellent choices for American gardeners.

1. Rubrum Lily or Japanese Lily (L. rubrum)

A beautiful native of Japan, this lily will do well in USDA Climate Zones 5-7. Like most lilies, it prefers well-draining acidic soils and full sun to partial shade. When someone mentions Japanese lilies, this is the lily that is most often referenced. 

2. Henry’s Lily (L. Henrii)

Henry’s lily loves full sun to partial shade. This Chinese native lily is popular in the Midwest and Central America as it loves alkaline and limestone-based soils. With unscented, light orange flowers, these tall lilies do well in USDA Climate Zones 5-8.

3. Madonna Lily, French Lily, or White Lily (L. candidum)

This lily can be found in gardens in Southern America. It does well in full sun to partial shade as well as in hot and humid conditions in USDA Climate Zone 9. They need a sheltered spot, preferably with an eastern exposure and morning sun.

4. Royal Lily (L. regale)

This award-winning lily is a perennial favorite. The large pink and white-hued blossoms have been a hit since their introduction in 1903 to Western countries from China. 

5. Golden-Rayed Lily (L. auratum)

Another exquisite example of a Japanese native lily. The dark speckled blossoms on their white blooms are a beautiful contrast, which adds to their charm. The Golden-Rayed lily prefers partial shade, especially in hotter climates.

Related Questions

How to Choose Which Lily to Plant in Gardens?

Choose lilies based on your garden's specific conditions, including sun exposure, soil drainage, and hardiness zone, as different varieties have distinct requirements for optimal growth. Also consider bloom time, height, and fragrance to select lilies that complement your existing garden design and provide the visual impact you desire throughout the growing season.

Is There a Difference Between Lilies and Daylilies?

The lilies mentioned here are part of the Lilium family, or true lily family. They should not be confused with Daylilies, which are Hemerocallis and another plant category altogether. True lilies grow from bulbs, have leafy stems, and their flowers last for several days, whereas daylilies grow from tuberous roots, have leafless flower stalks, and each flower typically lasts only one day.

What Should I Not Plant Near Lilies?

Avoid planting lilies near aggressive plants with invasive root systems that might compete for nutrients and space, such as mint, bamboo, or certain types of grass. Also, avoid planting lilies near roses and irises, as they need less watering. Lilies prefer well-drained soil and lilies can develop bulb rot when subjected to consistently wet conditions. 

Conclusion

Learning about the best lilies for gardening lets you create breathtaking displays of color and fragrance that will enhance your outdoor space for years to come. Browse our selection of premium lily bulbs, where our knowledgeable staff can help you choose the perfect varieties for your specific garden conditions.