Types of Lilies

Lilies, or plants in the family Liliaceae, command a great fan base around the world.

Discussions about different types of lilies commonly resolve to two general themes, garden lilies and native lilies.

Choosing garden lilies ultimately breaks down to the issue of gardner preferences along with garden soil conditions. Common market varieties allow gardeners an opportunity to choose plants that bloom during different seasons.

Many of the one hundred plus genera of native lilies found in the United States are also suitable for gardens, as long as they are grown in conditions similar to their native environment.

Lilium, a very popular garden choice genus, contains such favorites such as the Easter Lily and the Tiger Lily.

Most Lilium start their lives as bulbs and adapt well to most garden soils. Species can grow between two and eight feet tall and are suited to both spring and summer bloom times.

One tall growing native Lilium, Lilium washingtonianum, also called the Cascades Lily, Mt. Hood Lily and Washington Lily, provides a treat for West Coast mountain hikers during the hot summer months.

Given the right conditions, the large plant can show over a dozen of its white flowers, splashed with purple petal spots, at any given time. A gentle breeze spreads their alluring fragrance to anyone in their immediate vicinity. As the flowers age, they turn shades of pink and purple.

Named for the first First Lady, Martha Washington, the Washington lily is, unfortunately not found in the wild in Washington state.

Fortunately, commercial bulbs are available to any gardener who possess the lily green thumb. They need acidic soil and a temperate climate.

Another popular garden choice, Calochortus, ranks among the most diverse, and arguably most beautiful, lily genera, having over fifty native species growing from lower to higher elevations throughout the Western United States.

At any one time, it is easy to find a dozen or more Calochortus species cultivated and sold for the home garden.

Other species, including the Death Camas, are poisonous, and not suited to gardeners concerned with inquisitive pets, especially cats.

Trillium, which grows well in shaded areas, can be purchased at many local nurseries. Your local Agricultural Extension Service or plant nursery will have more details on lily species suitable for your garden.

Certain lily species resemble shrubs more than they resemble the basic garden flower. Twisted Stalk (Streptopus), for example, are a genus of woodland lilies found in northern climates near streams and brooks.

The second picture shows a close up view of the leaves, twisted peduncles and summer blooming berries, which are edible in small portions. Small bell shaped flowers with recurved tips (similar to fairy bells) precede the berries.

Plants grow a couple of feet in height, with large alternating leaves.

The links in the box on the right point to articles with pictures and additional details covering native lily genera, emphasizing many Western species. The Crag Lily and the Swamp lily have ranges limited to the Southwest and Southeast.

Taxonomy changes continue in the lily world. Two listed genera, Brodiaea and Dichelostemma now often get listed in the Themidaceae family. Their listing here is based on practical considerations. Like most of the other genera, they are well suited to home gardens.

© 2008-2011 Patricia A. Michaels