Lots To Learn About Lilies
31 Jul, 2008 By: Landscape Management Staff LDB SolutionsThere are approximately 100 naturally occurring species of lilies. Most of the lilies sold today are hybrids, or man-made crosses. There are more than 7,000 lily varieties registered, both species and hybrids.
The commercial trade concentrates on five major groups: Asiatics, Orientals, Longiflorums, LA Hybrids and the OT hybrids, with the LO hybrids the coming thing.
Here’s a quick snap shot of lilies:
Asiatic lilies
Around 1950, famous Oregon-based hybridizer Jan de Graaf introduced what he called his Mid-Century Hybrids. These were shorter and sturdier than the Oriental lilies that were then most popular. They were hardy in the garden, excellent long-lived cut flowers in the vase and had upright, not hanging flowers. Today, we call this category Asiatic lilies. They are the largest category of lilies available today and remain prized for their straight stems, evenly stepped foliage, profusion of buds and bright flowers. The blooms vary in shape from flowers with simple open bowls to flowers with curved petals. Colors range from the most delicate pastels to bold reds and oranges. Asiatic hybrids are not fragrant.
Asiatics usually have about five flower clusters per stem. Easy to produce and prolific, they are less expensive than other lilies and are a perfect choice for arrangements that call for masses of color.
Oriental lillies
Oriental lillies
are known for large flowers, delicious scent and lovely colors. Orientals are the royalty of lily flowers. Oriental blooms are larger and more spectacular than other lilies. The characteristics that make them so prized to cut flower lovers also make them commercially more difficult to grow and transport, hence they are more expensive than other lilies.
Their elegant re-curved petals, lovely long stamens and distinctive center markings, make Orientals the stars of any floral arrangement. A single stem in a vase makes a regal statement — even one blossom floating in a bowl catches the eye. A massed arrangement can be electrifying.
Despite their great beauty, Orientals are not delicate. They are durable with a long vase life. A single stem can produce six to eight flowers. Among the available colors are white, pink, rose, yellow and bi-colors. These hybrids are often appreciated for the colorful raised freckles on their petals.
Lilium longiflorum
Lilium longiflorum have large white trumpet-shaped flowers. Known commonly as Easter lilies or Madonna lilies, they are most often seen in North America as potted plants, though in Europe they are widely enjoyed as cut flowers. These lilies are becoming more popular and available in all their forms these days.
LA hybrids
LA hybrids are a new category of lilies introduced in 1992. They are named not for the city of Los Angeles but for their parentage. These colorful hybrids are a cross between longiflorum lilies (L) and Asiatic hybrids (A). The result: brightly colored trumpet-type lilies. From the longiflorum, the LA hybrid gets a signature trumpet shape, great strength and long vase life. From the Asiatics, the new hybrids inherit warmer colors and an upright calyx (the green outer spiral of leaf that holds the flower head up).
OT hybrids
OT hybrids
are a cross between Oriental lilies and Trumpet lilies. Like the Asiatics, the color palette of the OT’s ranges far beyond the pinks and whites most commonly associated with the Orientals. But these hybrids have a sweet fragrance generally reported to be somewhat milder than Oriental fragrance. Many landscapers and gardeners know OTs as Orienpet lilies.
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