Lilium is a genus of about 100 species of bulbous, herbaceous perennials native to Europe, North America and Asia south [Source: University of Missouri]. Lilies usually feature 6-tepaled flowers in a variety of shapes (trumpet, funnel, cup, bell, bowl or flat), sometimes nodding, sometimes with reflexed petals.
Flowers are usually fragrant and can be in a number of colors except blue. Most of them are versatile and can grow in any part of the world.
Just like many lilies, white lilies are loved by many gardeners because of their delicate petals and enchanting scent. They have a rich history dating back to ancient civilizations. They hold a deep cultural and religious significance in many parts of the world.
Let’s talk about the different of white lilies by way of looking into their characteristics and other practical aspects.
Meanings and Symbolism
White lilies carry diverse meanings across different cultures and contexts. Some of the common symbolic associations include:
- Purity and Innocence: In many places including United States, white lilies are commonly seen as symbols of purity, innocence and chastity. Their pristine white color is reminiscent of purity and are preferred flowers for weddings, baptisms and religious ceremonies. In Christian traditions, these lilies are usually associated with the Virgin Mary, symbolizing her purity and divine grace.
- Mourning, Resurrection and Rebirth: White lilies can also symbolize resurrection and rebirth, particularly in Christian beliefs. Most people used them in funeral arrangements (funeral wreaths, sympathy bouquets and memorial tributes) to represent the hope of life after death and conveying condolences and support to those who have lost a loved one.
- Femininity and Motherhood: Some people connect white lilies to femininity and motherhood signifying the nurturing and caring nature of motherhood. Some people give them as gifts on Mother’s Day or to celebrate the birth of a child.
- Honor and Respect: White lilies can symbolize honor, respect and admiration. They can be used to show reverence for someone’s achievements, virtue or character. In Asian communities the flowers are commonly given as gifts to express admiration and esteem for a person’s qualities or to commemorate significant milestones or achievements.
List of White Lilies
- Easter Lily (Lilium longiflorum)
- Lilium ‘Casa Blanca’ (Oriental lily)
- Lilium Roselily Anouska (Double Oriental lily)
- Lilium ‘Bright Diamond’ (Asiatic lily)
- Lilium ‘Conca d’Or’ (Oriental Trumpet Lily)
- Lilium ‘Dizzy’ (Oriental Lily)
- Lilium ‘Dot Com’ (Asiatic Lily)
- Lilium ‘Lady Alice’
- Lilium ‘Muscadet’ (Oriental Lily)
- Lilium ‘Nymph’ (Orienpet lily)
- Lilium ‘Regale’ (Trumpet lily)
- Lilium ‘Salmon star’ (Oriental lily)
- Lilium candidum (Modonna lily)
- Lilium ‘White heaven’ (Easter lily)
- Lilium regale ‘Album’ (Trumpet)
Description And Facts
Easter Lily (Lilium longiflorum)
Although Easter Lilies are native to the southern islands of Japan, they are widely cultivated and grown in various parts of the world. Major producers include the United States (particularly California and Oregon), Japan, the Netherlands and Taiwan.
The plant reaches heights of about 2 to 3 feet. It bears a number of trumpet-shaped, white fragrant and outward facing flowers. Each flower has prominent stamens and a pistil that protrudes from the center. Easter Lilies can thrive in temperate and subtropical climates. From April to June, is the plant’s flowering season.
Easter Lilies can also be grown in containers or planted in the garden alongside other varieties of lilies, as well as other popular cut flowers like roses, dahlias or snapdragons.
Also Read: Different Types of Yellow Lilies
Casablanca lily
Lilium ‘Casa Blanca’ sometimes referred to as white oriental lily is a hybrid that was created by crossbreeding two Oriental lily cultivars. The lily was first developed by Leslie Woodriff, an American lily breeder, in the 1970s.
The flowers are large with a classic lily shape. Each flower features six broad petals known as tepals that are pure white in color. They emit a strong fragrance that easily permeate the surrounding area or place where it is growing.
Overall, the plant grows to about 3 feet tall and pairs well with other perennials, shrubs and annuals. In USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9, the bulbs of this flower are planted in the fall, and the plant emerges in the spring.
This lily works well when planted to mixed flower beds and borders. It also makes an excellent cut flower, both for fresh arrangements and as dried flowers for crafts or potpourri.
Lilium Roselily Anouska
Lilium Roselily Anouska is a result of careful breeding and selection. The flowers are white with a tracery of rose-pink around each petal. Instead of stamens, these flowers have extra petals which gives them a totally different look. In other words, it is pollen-free.
The flowers are long-lasting and have a stronger scent than the traditional lilies. The scent is often described as a combination of floral and spicy notes.
This lily cultivar reaches a height of between 4 to 6 feet when fully grown. In larger garden areas or open spaces, you can consider pairing it with plants like lavender, salvia or delphinium. The plant does well in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9.
Bright Diamond Lily
Bright Diamond lily is a cultivar of the Asiatic lily. The plant grows from a bulbous rhizome and can reach about 4 feet at maturity. The flowers are pure white in color and scented, hence the name ‘Bright Diamond’. Each flower has 6 petals that are slightly recurved.
The good thing about these lilies is that they bloom early in time. Their flowering period also lasts for a few weeks. They work well as standalone plants, in mixed perennial beds, or as borders along walkways and fences. The best time to plant this lily is in fall or early spring.
Conca d’Or Lily
‘Conca d’Or’ lily is a hybrid variety resulting from crossing two Oriental lilies. They are indeed a breakthrough in the history of lily breeding. The flowers are quite large with a classic trumpet shape. That is to say, the flowers have curved petals that open wide and appear flaring.
The petals are creamy white color, occasionally tinged with a blush of lemon yellow toward the base. In general, the flower emits a heady scent that is particularly strong during the evenings and early mornings. While this lily cultivar can tolerate some shade, it tend to grow well with at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
Dizzy Lily
The flowers of Lilium ‘Dizzy’ are large, outward-facing and are obviously a trumpet-like in shape. The petals are pure white, accented with deep maroon or burgundy speckles and freckles. Each stem produces multiple flowers and in general the plant can work well in front yards especially in places where other perennials have been grown.
The flowering period of Lilium ‘Dizzy’ usually occurs around July or August. The blooms last for several weeks. As an Oriental lily, the flower is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9. Though in colder regions, the bulb needs to be mulched with a layer of straw or leaves in late fall to protect them during winter.
Also Read: Yellow Rose Varieties
Dot Com Lily
The ‘Dot Com’ lily has large, upward-facing flowers and entirely the plant reaches a height of around 2 to 4 feet. This lily is considered a hardy perennial in many regions. It can survive winter and regrow each year. The lily is particularly beautiful when grown in groups.
‘Dot Com’ lily has creamy white to light pink flowers with burgundy dots that are concentrated toward the center of the flower. This is an early blooming lily and in many places it begins to bloom from late May or early June. This lily does not have a strong fragrance like some other lily varieties, it usually has a mild scent.
Lady Alice Lily
Lady Alice is also known as a Turk’s Cap Lily. It is a hybrid of lilium henryi. The flower is creamy white with a gold star radiating out from the center and a light speckling of apricot-orange spots. The petals are recurved and the blooms are fragrant and downfacing.
This cultivar is known to tolerate hot summer days, as long as the bulbs are deep enough to remain cool. It is particularly an excellent cut flower because of its long-lasting blooms and buds that continue to mature and open after cutting.
Also Read: White Sunflower Varieties
Muscadet Lily
‘Muscadet’ is a result of hybridization between different Oriental lily species and cultivars. The lily grows between 3 to 4 feet tall and is actually is a true gem when growing in a summer garden.
Each stem of this lily bears multiple large, outward facing blooms with classic trumpet shape. The petals are creamy white or pale ivory in color, often with pink blushes or speckles on the inner side. The flower some fairly mild scent.
This lily blooms from July to August during which multiple flowers may open on a single stem. Due to their tall stature, they can be placed towards the back of the garden bed or mixed with other perennials in a front yard.
Nymph Lily
The Nymph lily is a cultivar of the Orienpet lily, which is a hybrid between an Oriental and Trumpet lily. The flowers are large, outward-facing with a unique blend of colors. The petals are creamy white with soft pink blushes and hints of yellow towards the center. The flower shape is trumpet-like, with slightly recurved petals.
This is a mid-season flowering lily and usually flowers when many other flowers are in full bloom. One most notable thing about the ‘Nymph’ lily is its scent or fragrance. The fragrance is strong and can fill the air with aroma. This flower can be particularly good for cut flower.
The ‘Nymph’ lily grows to a height of around 4 to 5 feet. It produces sturdy stems and is known to be vigorous in growth and capable of multiplying over time. Because of its tall stature, the plant works well in creating focal points or adding vertical interest in mixed borders.
Regale Lily
Lilium ‘Regale’ is one of the lilies that has been around for a very long time. It was first introduced in the early 20th century, around 1903. The plant usually gets to around 4 feet tall with sturdy stems.
Each stem carries numerous trumpet-shaped blossoms that face outward. The flowers are large with pure white petals that have a yellow throat and a soft flush of pink on the exterior. The fragrance emitted by the blossoms is sweet.
This lily is cold hardy and can tolerate temperatures down to USDA hardiness zones 4 to 9. It is among the easiest lilies to grow in most temperate climate gardens. It tolerates most soils, except ones prone to waterlogging. It may naturalize in suitable conditions. It can also be grown in large containers.
Salmon Star Lily
Salmon Star Lily has six recurved petals with gently ruffled edges. The base color of the petals is a soft salmon-pink, which gradually transitions to lighter shade towards the tips. The inner petal surface often displays dark maroon speckles. The flowers emit a sweet scent that can fill a room or a garden with aroma.
Lilium ‘Salmon Star’ is a mid-to-late summer bloomer. This lily mixes well with annuals and other annual flowering shrubs when planted in a front yard.
Modonna Lily
Lilium candidum, commonly known as the Madonna lily, is native to the Mediterranean region and has been cultivated for centuries. The flowers are relatively large and pure white in color. Each flower consists of six petals that curve backward. The petals usually have a yellow or greenish-yellow markings at the base. The flowers are solitary and appear at the top of the stem during the summer months, usually in June or July.
The Madonna lily throughout history has been associated with the Virgin Mary in Christian iconography and is often depicted in religious art. It is a popular garden plant and is cultivated in many parts of the world particularly France, Italy, Ukraine, North Africa, the Canary Islands and Mexico.
White Heaven Lily
Lilium ‘White Heaven,’ is a popular cultivar of the lily flower because of its large, pristine white blossoms. It is often associated with Easter festivities in churches and homes as decorations. Plants tend to grow from about 3 feet tall. From April to June is the plant’s flowering season.
White Heaven lily petals are arranged in a star-like pattern. The pure white blossoms have a glossy texture and particularly work well as cut flowers. One notable aspect for this flower is fragrance, which is characteristically strong and sweet. This variety is sometimes called the Bermuda lily because it has been much cultivated in Bermuda.
Regale ‘Album’ Lily
Lilium regale ‘Album’ can grow up to 5 to 6 feet in height with leaves that are arranged in whorls or spirals along the stem. The stems are sturdy and can produce multiple flowers per stem. The flowers are large with six white petals that gracefully curve backward, revealing a yellow throat and orange anthers in the center. Each flower can reach has some scent that is mildly sweet.
The Lilium regale ‘Album’ can be found in very many places around the world. It blooms in mid to late summer, usually in July or August. The flowering period lasts for several weeks if well cared for. It can be planted in large containers or pots and placed around patios, decks or balconies. It is also beautiful, when planted in borders or mixed flower beds.