Vibrant, gorgeous, and striking, if you don’t know all about lilies, you’re missing out! Lilies are a diverse group of brilliantly-colored flowers with large blooms and wonderful scents. They are one of the most popular flowers in the world! With over 90 species, though, a classification system was needed to organize the many varieties of lilies, which we list for you below.
Lily Symbolism
A popular story of the origin of the lily dates back to Greek mythology, where the Goddess Hera created lilies on Earth when she spilled a few drops of her breast milk. Since Hera is the Goddess of marriage, women, and childbirth, the lily is often associated with rebirth and motherhood. In China, lilies are a popular flower in weddings because it symbolizes good luck and 100 years of love. In Christianity, lilies, especially the Madonna lily, is associated with the Virgin Mary and represent purity and chastity.
Other meanings based on the color of the lily, as follows:
- White lilies = purity, virtue, and innocence.
- Pink lilies = abundance, femininity, and grace.
- Red lilies = love, desire, and passion.
- Orange lilies = confidence, prosperity, and pride.
- Yellow lilies = joy, gratitude, and good health.
Basic Lily Facts
A member of the genus Lilium, true lilies are identifiable by their six petals and six anthers, which is the oval-shaped sack that contains the pollen. Lilies usually have large blooms that grow in nearly every color (except blue). Some lilies are extremely fragrant, while others have no smell at all.
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 up to 50 per stem and strikingly colored. (Turk’s Cap)
Madonna Lily
Division 3: Candidum Hybrid – Famous for the Madonna lily that has a lovely fragrance and white flowers with 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 – Known for 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 stunning trumpet-shaped flowers. Strong, sweet fragrance. (African Queen)
Stargazer Lily
Division 7: Oriental Hybrid – Known for large blooms and enchanting fragrance. (Stargazer, Casablanca, Acapulco Lily)
Orange LA Hybrid Lily
Division 8: Interdivisional Hybrids – Includes hybrids of the previous 7 divisions.
Wild Yellow and Red Lily
Division 9: Species – Wild lilies that are the ancestors to all of the other classes. Natural with delicate beauty.
FIERY LILY AND ROSE
There is nothing like the lily with all of its grandness, vibrancy, uniqueness, and sweet fragrance. Now that you are more familiar with the different types of lilies, you can easily find one to match the personality of anyone in your life. Here at City Line Florist, we have an excellent selection of bouquets featuring lilies and other gorgeous blooms, peruse them online here or give us a call when you’re ready to brighten your, or someone else’s, day!
