Vibrant, striking, and fragrant, lilies come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are one of the most popular flowers in the world. These magnificent blooms come in over 100 different species – that’s a lot of lilies! We help you sort them out here though, by the 9 divisions of lilies and showcasing some of the most gorgeous varieties. 

Basic Lily Facts

True Lilies are members of a diverse group of plants that belong to the genus Lilium. All true lilies have six petals and six anthers (part of the stamen that contains the pollen). Typically, lilies are upright, tall plants with flowers in the shape of bells or trumpets. Lilies come in almost all colors, except for blue, and many have variegated patterns, spots, freckles, or dark patches all of which lends to their endless diversity and appeal.  

While lilies are known to be very fragrant, there are some varieties that have no scent at all. To organize the vast array of lily varieties, nine botanical divisions were created to classify both natural and hybridized lilies.

Lily Classifications & Examples

Pink Pixie Lilies

Division 1: Asiatic Hybrid – Most popular lilies in the world. Come in almost every color but have little to no scent. Attractive and long-lasting.  (Pink Pixie, Elodie Lily)

Turk’s Cap Lily

Division 2: Martagon Hybrid – Dramatic, downward-facing blossoms, strikingly colored. (Turk’s Cap)

Madonna Lily

Division 3: Candidum Hybrid – Includes the Madonna lily that has a lovely fragrance, white flowers, and a yellow base. (Madonna)

Tiger Lily

Division 4: American Hybrid – Hybrids of wild lilies in North America.  (Tiger Lily)

Easter Lilies

Division 5: Longiflorum Hybrid – Hybrids with elegant pure white petals and trumpet-shaped. (Easter Lily)

African Queen Lily

Division 6: Trumpet and Aurelian Hybrids – Fragrant trumpet-shaped flowers. (African Queen)

Stargazer Lily

Division 7: Oriental Hybrid – Large blooms and great scents. (Casablanca, Stargazer, Acapulco Lily)

Orange LA Hybrid Lily

Division 8: Interdivisional Hybrids – Hybrids of the previous seven divisions.

Wild Yellow and Red Lily

Division 9: Species – Ancestors of the other classes. Wild.

PURE & BEAUTIFUL

The Amazing Lily

The lily is loved in history and today’s cultures because of its grace, beauty, and amazing aroma. It also adds a wonderful touch of elegance to any home and is great at brightening someone’s day. Here at Walter Knoll Florist, we have a great selection of floral arrangements with lilies as well as other gorgeous flowers…. peruse our selection now!