Contents
- The main international classification of lilies
- Asian hybrids
- Lilies undersized: varieties + photo
- Terry varieties of lilies with photos and names
- Black lilies, varieties
- Curly lilies, varieties
- Snow-white hybrids
- American hybrids
- longiflorum lilies
- Tubular and Orleans hybrids
- Oriental lily hybrids
- Interspecific hybrids
- LA hybrids
- OT-hybrids
- wild species of lilies
- Tiger lilies: varieties, photos
- bulbous lilies
- blue lilies
- Conclusion
Gardeners who already have experience growing lilies on their plots know that these flowers, despite their luxurious beauty, are for the most part very unpretentious and require minimal care. But the variety of lilies is great and not all of them can boast of such properties. To the novice eye, flowers that are similar in appearance can be very different in their habitat requirements, soil type, and propagation methods. In the article you can get acquainted with the richness of the species and varietal composition of lilies, find out the features of each group, admire the photos of the most interesting and beautiful representatives of this genus.
The main international classification of lilies
At the end of the last century, the total number of varieties of lilies obtained from crossing different species and hybrids with each other reached 10 thousand, and every year it increases by several hundred varieties. Since lilies differ quite a lot in terms of care requirements and other characteristics, back in the middle of the XNUMXth century a single international classification was adopted, which, with minor changes, has survived to this day.
According to this classification, it is customary to distinguish the following 10 sections among lilies:
- Asian hybrids.
- Curly (Martagon).
- Snow white (Candidum).
- American (American).
- Longiflora (Longiflorum).
- Tubular and Orleans (Trumpet and Aurelian).
- Eastern (Oriental).
- Interspecific hybrids (hybrids between varieties of the previous sections, named after the first letters of their Latin names, LA-, OT-, LO-, OA-).
- All wild species.
- Hybrids not included in the previous sections.
Flower growers are creative people and often come up with their own color classifications. So you can often find classifications of lilies according to the coloring of flowers, according to the height of the stems, according to the structure of the flower (terry or not), according to the presence or absence of aroma, according to winter hardiness, according to the methods of reproduction. All these features will be necessarily considered in the description of the groups and varieties of lilies below, with the obligatory names of varieties and photos.
Asian hybrids
It was with these hybrids that the breeding of new varieties began long ago, and at the moment they are the largest group in terms of composition. The largest number of natural species took part in the creation of varieties of this group, mainly from Asia (hence the name of the group). It includes more than 5 thousand varieties, and in terms of the variety of colors and unpretentiousness in care, these plants have no equal among other lilies.
Asian hybrids include very tiny varieties that grow to a height of no more than 40 cm, and tall giants, up to 1,5 meters high. Among them is the whole gamut of shades from white to black, with the exception of blue and blue.
Flowers come in a wide variety of forms, including double ones. In size, they are not the largest among lilies – on average they reach 10-15 cm in diameter.
Flowering does not last very long – usually about two weeks. Flowers usually appear from early June to early to mid-August.
Asian hybrids can rightly be called the most unpretentious varieties of lilies – they can be grown from the south to the most subarctic latitudes. They do not require shelter for the winter in the conditions of the middle lane, they multiply in all possible ways, and their diversity has already been mentioned above.
The lilies of this group have absolutely no smell – for some this is a disadvantage, but for some it is a great advantage.
Asian hybrids do not tolerate the presence of lime in the soil, they need soils with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. They can grow equally well in the sun and in light partial shade.
Among the best and most beautiful varieties of Asiatic lilies are:
Lion Heart
The color of the flowers of this lily can be called avant-garde. Up to 12 star-shaped flowers can bloom on one plant. Blooms in the second half of summer.
Marlene
Thanks to the Marlene lily, rumors appeared among the people about the appearance of the so-called pyramidal lilies, varieties of which can form up to several hundred flowers on one bush. Sometimes they are also called bush lilies. All these names, to put it mildly, are incorrect, because, firstly, lilies almost always develop only one stem. Secondly, sometimes the phenomenon of fasciation occurs with some varieties, that is, the splicing of several stems. As a result, the stem really acquires a powerful appearance and many (up to several hundred) flowers can form on it. But this phenomenon is not programmed and does not depend on any specific factors. If you are lucky, you will be able to observe such flowering in the varieties of lilies Marlene, Aphrodite, Elijah, Red Hot and Fleur.
Lollipop
I can’t even believe that such a delicate flower can withstand at rest up to -25 ° C frost without shelter. Blooms within 70 days after emergence. Inflorescences are not very large, include about 5-6 flowers.
Tribal Dance
Among the new varieties of lilies, this hybrid stands out with its unique color. Blooms in July-August, grows up to 110 cm.
Lilies undersized: varieties + photo
Among Asian hybrids, there are many undersized varieties that can be successfully grown in small pots on terraces, balconies, and even indoors. All of them do not grow more than 50-60 cm, and many varieties reach only 40 cm.
It is these varieties of lilies that are called by some unscrupulous sellers as the newest varieties of “pot” or pot lilies. In fact, many of them have been known for quite a long time, and by planting several bulbs of different varieties in a pot, you can really get a luxurious bouquet of small multi-colored lilies in a short time.
That’s just the flowering of this bouquet will last a relatively short time – no more than two weeks. If you want to enjoy flowering longer, about a month, then you can use undersized varieties of lilies from the group of oriental hybrids for this purpose, which will be discussed below.
What other undersized varieties are there:
- Belem
- Buzzer
- Sorokaba
- Spider
- Curitiba
- Ivory Pixie
- Juan Pesao
- Rio de Janeiro
- lady like
- Matrix
- Tiny Cost
Terry varieties of lilies with photos and names
Among Asian hybrids, many terry varieties of extraordinary beauty have been created in recent years. The most interesting thing is that in terms of care and winter hardiness, they are no different from their counterparts and can be grown in almost any region of Our Country.
Aphrodite
This delicate flower reaches a height of 110 cm, with a diameter of an opened bud of 15-18 cm. On average, about 8 flowers form on the stem, but under good conditions they can bloom up to 20 pieces. In this case, the width of the bush can reach half a meter.
Aaron
Huge double snow-white flowers adorn the stem of medium height (about 70-80 cm). Blooms in the first two summer months.
Sphinx
Dense red double flowers of this variety with a diameter of 15-18 cm look up. The plant reaches a height of 110 cm. It blooms in the first half of summer.
Fata Morgana
Looking at this lily, it seems that the golden sun has blossomed. Blooms in the second half of summer. In height, the plant – average – reaches 90-95 cm.
Double Sensation
In addition to terry petals, this plant also impresses with its two-tone color. Medium-sized flowers appear around mid-summer.
Elodie
Among the undersized varieties of Asian hybrids, a lily with double flowers appeared. This miracle barely grows to 45-50 cm, but it blooms very profusely.
Mystery Dream
A unique double flower of a light green hue with a dark speck in the center. Terry appears from the second year. The opening of the layers in the flower occurs slowly, making it possible to observe a new kind of flowers every day.
Black lilies, varieties
Mysterious black lilies are also present among the group of Asian hybrids. Of course, all of them are not pure black in color, but only very dark shades of burgundy or purple, but still they can rightfully be classified as a group of black lilies.
Landini
This variety is currently considered the blackest of all existing: depending on the lighting, the color of the flower varies from maroon to gray-black.
Maps
Another lily color so dark that it could easily pass for black. Plants of medium height (1,3 m) can bloom in any of the summer months, depending on suitable conditions.
nightrider
This almost black lily is not entirely pure Asian, but rather a mixture of Asian and tubular hybrids, the so-called AT hybrids.
Black Out
The name of the variety is already reminiscent of black, although the flower itself is rather dark red with dark spots on the petals and a black center.
Curly lilies, varieties
Lilies from this group are ideally suited for growing in partial shade, for example, under trees. Under direct sunlight, they will not live long. They also do not like frequent transplants, it is advisable to seat them once every 10 years. Otherwise, they belong to the most unpretentious varieties, easily wintering in the open field, even in the north of Our Country. Flowers can grow on a wide variety of soil types, are practically not susceptible to fungal diseases.
They originate mainly from the lily Martagon or Curly, mixed with other species. The flowers are turban-shaped, not too large, from 5 to 10 cm, of the most diverse color. There is even a rare lavender color.
Unlike Asian hybrids, lily varieties of this group are characterized by a light, unobtrusive aroma.
The best varieties from this group are presented below.
- Lankongenze
- Claude Schride
- Maroon King
- Arabian Knight
- Gaybird
- Morning
- Martagon Album
- sunny morning
Snow-white hybrids
Lilies from this section are often also called European hybrids, since they originate from natural species growing in Europe: Candidum lily, Chalcedony and others.
Varieties of lilies in this section are distinguished by special agrotechnics of care. Their bulbs are planted at a shallow depth, literally 3-5 cm. Their rest period is very short and occurs in the summer, in August. It is then that they need to be transplanted if necessary. And already in September, a rosette of leaves should appear in the form of seedlings, from which a flowering shoot will grow only in spring.
These varieties are characterized by susceptibility to fungal diseases and require mandatory shelter for the winter. Prefers to grow in the sun, in alkaline soil.
Plants are tall, up to 180-200 cm with large tubular or funnel-shaped flowers. Among the colors are predominantly white and light colors. The flowers of this group have a rather strong and pleasant aroma.
There are not so many varieties (about 1% of the world assortment of all lilies):
- Apollo
- Testacium
American hybrids
The varieties of this group are named so because they originate from North American lilies: Columbian, leopard, Canadian and others. Despite their beauty, flowers are not very popular in their homeland.
American lilies have rather large bell-shaped or turban-shaped flowers, often bicolored, covered with numerous dots and strokes. They have a pleasant aroma, prefer partial shade, do not like frequent transplants. They usually bloom in July. Quite whimsical in care – they need shelter for the winter.
The most interesting varieties are the following:
- Lake Flags
- afterglow
- Shaksan
- Cherrywood
longiflorum lilies
Very few varieties bred from tropical lilies, therefore, in Our Country they can be grown only in greenhouse conditions for cutting. The plants are low – 100-120 cm. The flowers look like bells elongated into a tube of various shades of white with a pleasant aroma.
Among the best varieties:
- white haven
- white elegans
Tubular and Orleans hybrids
This is the second most diverse group of lilies in the world after Asiatic. It has over 1000 varieties. And in terms of endurance, they are only slightly inferior to Asians, although they require sunny areas and slightly alkaline soils. Tubular hybrids resist various diseases well. They are the most fragrant varieties of lilies. Details about the varieties of tubular lilies with a photo are described in another article.
Oriental lily hybrids
Oriental hybrids, without exaggeration, can be called the most beautiful varieties of lilies, and you can appreciate this fact by looking at their photos with names below. Plants are medium in height, but they are distinguished by huge flowers, sometimes reaching up to 30-35 cm in diameter. They bloom later than all varieties, usually in August-September. Flowers are simple and double, the most common shades of flowers are pink, red, white. The shape of the flowers can be very diverse.
That’s just unpretentious, they can not be called in any way. Eastern hybrids can be affected by viral diseases, and they are very thermophilic. In the conditions of the middle zone, they definitely need a reliable shelter for the winter, and even under such conditions their life can be short-lived. But among them there are undersized flowers that can be successfully grown in containers and stored in winter in frost-free rooms. Examples are the following varieties:
- Magni Kors
- Garden Patty
- Mona Lisa
- Entertainer
But many tall varieties of oriental lilies can be successfully grown in the middle lane if they are dug up in the fall for the winter.
- Stargazer
- Salmon Star
- Casablanca
- Le Rev
- Crystal Star
- Lovely Girl
- Barbados
- Muscadet
And, finally, terry oriental lilies stand out with fabulous beauty, varieties of which are often shown in all their splendor only in the third or fourth year after planting.
- Broken heart
- Miss Lucy
- Polar Star
- Distant Drama
- Double Surprise
- Soft Music
Interspecific hybrids
Among interspecific hybrids, there are many varieties that have taken all the best from parental forms and can be safely grown even by gardeners in the northern regions.
LA hybrids
One of the most beautiful and at the same time unpretentious lilies that can winter in the open field, are resistant to diseases and whose flowers have a delicate aroma. From Asian hybrids, they took stability and a variety of shades, and from long-flowered ones, the speed of development and refinement of waxy large flowers. They usually bloom in June-July. Among the most popular varieties are:
- Bestsellers
- Fangio
- Samur
- Indian Diamond
- Keb Dazzle
OT-hybrids
These varieties are the result of crossing oriental and tubular hybrids and are characterized by large sizes of both stems and flowers. These are the most gigantic lilies among all currently known in the world – they can reach a height of 2,5 meters under favorable conditions. It is some varieties of OT hybrids that are sometimes called lily trees.
Lilies treelike
Of course, calling these lilies trees is not entirely correct. After all, they do not have a lignified trunk at all, and even in the southern regions they completely die off for the winter. Only a significant height, usually not characteristic of flowers, can make them related to trees. But even here you should not believe that in the conditions of the Urals and even the Moscow region, these flowers will be able to reach a height of 2,5 meters, even under the best care conditions. This may be possible only in the southern regions of the country, from where, as a rule, photographs of amazing miracle lilies are taken.
But after all, the maximum height of 150-170 cm, which OT hybrids of lilies can reach in the middle lane, is also worthy of respect.
At the same time, they do not require special care and tolerate winters well.
Listed below are some of the more interesting varieties of OT hybrids.
- Debbie
- Labrador
- Manissa
- Purple Prince
- Sucinto
- Empoli
wild species of lilies
Among the types of lilies found in nature, there are many interesting representatives that can be successfully grown in the garden:
- Curly or Saranka,
- Candidum
- Daurskaya,
- royal,
- bulbous,
- Brindle.
Of particular interest in terms of unpretentiousness for gardeners are the last two species.
Tiger lilies: varieties, photos
The tiger lily or lanceolate, which is the ancestor of this group of flowers, is distinguished by a turban-shaped flower, and an orange color with many purple spots.
The most interesting representative of tiger lilies is the Fluffy Leopard variety – with double flowers. Unpretentious and winter-hardy, forms from 12 to 20 buds on each stem.
Another terry variety of tiger lilies, Flore Pleno, is interesting and popular.
There are varieties of other colors, but with the same spotted pattern.
- Yellow – Citronella
- pink shades
bulbous lilies
The bulbous or bulbous lily has a tiger-like color, but the shape of the flower is different – tubular. The main feature of the bulbous lily is the formation of numerous bulbs or air bulbs in the axils of the leaves, with the help of which this flower is very easy to propagate.
Many varieties of Asian hybrids have the same ability to reproduce, for which they are often called bulbous by the people.
blue lilies
But the breeders, despite all their efforts, have not yet bred blue lilies. And the numerous attractive pictures that frankly unscrupulous sellers of uninformed buyers are interested in are nothing more than well-designed images in one of the graphics programs. However, Japanese breeders promise to breed blue lilies by 2020.
Conclusion
Of course, no article can show all the richness and diversity of species and varieties of lilies. But perhaps after reading this article, it will be easier for you to navigate in choosing the right variety for your specific conditions.