Lilies are crazy beautiful and so diverse! With more than 100 different types of lily species, some type of categorization system needed to be formed to organize all of them. This led to nine classes, or divisions, of lilies being created. All have their own unique characteristics and appeal. Prepare to be amazed as you increase your lily knowledge and are stunned by their diverse and vibrant beauty!
Basic Lily Facts
True lilies are flowering plants that belong to the Lilium genus. All true lilies have 6 petals and 6 anthers (the oblong sack that holds the pollen). They generally have large blooms and come in nearly every color, except blue. Some lilies are greatly fragrant, while others not fragrant at all.
Generally, throughout history, lilies have been considered to embody fertility, purity, beauty, grace, and rebirth. For meanings based on their colors, the following applies:
- White Lily represents purity, innocence, virtue, and beauty.
- Yellow Lily represents joy, wellness, grace, and healing.
- Light Pink Lily represents class, femininity, and generosity.
- Dark Pink Lily represents exorbitance, abundance, and passion.
- Red Lily represents love, desire, and romance.
- Orange Lily represents courage, support, and prosperity.
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. (Tango, Forever Susan, Orange Pixie Lily, Elodie Lily, Lollipop)
Turk’s Cap Lily
Division 2: Martagon Hybrid – Dramatic, visually interesting, producing many small dainty downward-facing blossoms. Flowers can be numerous 50 per stem and strikingly colored. (Turk’s Cap)
Madonna Lily
Division 3: Candidum Hybrid – Famous for the Madonna lily, lovely fragrance, white flowers and a yellow base. Up to 20 blossoms per stem. (Madonna)
Tiger Lily
Division 4: American Hybrid – Includes hybrids of wild lilies in North America. (Tiger Lily)
Easter Lilies
Division 5: Longiflorum Hybrid – Easter lily, elegant pure white, and trumpet-shaped. Bloom during Easter. (Easter Lily)
African Queen Lily
Division 6: Trumpet and Aurelian Hybrids – Tall and elegant with fragrant blooms with stunning trumpet-shaped flowers. Lush, large, heady sweet fragrance. (African Queen)
Stargazer Lily
Division 7: Oriental Hybrid – Known for large, robust, upright flowers. Strong, enchanting fragrance. (Stargazer, Casablanca, Acapulco Lily)
Orange LA Hybrid Lily
Division 8: Interdivisional Hybrids – Includes hybrids of the previous seven divisions.
Wild Yellow and Red Lily
Division 9: Species – Wild lilies, ancestors to all the other classes. Natural and delicate beauty.
ALWAYS A LADY
Now that you are familiar with the striking beauty and diversity of lilies, you’ll have no problem choosing the perfect lily for anyone you want to gift the beauty of flowers to. Here at Campbell’s Flowers, we have a wonderful selection of lilies and other fabulous flowers to choose from for whenever you want to brighten yours or someone’s day.
