Lilies are vibrant, colorful, unique, and wonderful! There are so many diverse types of lilies – more than 100 species! – that classes, or divisions, needed to be created to sort them all. Here, we list all the various classes of lilies and show beautiful examples of each. Discover the fantastic world of lilies and you’ll fall in love with them, too!

Lily Symbolism

A popular myth of the origin of the lily goes 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 favorite flower in weddings because it symbolizes good luck and 100 years of love. In Christianity, lilies, especially the Madonna lily, is affiliated with the Virgin Mary and symbolizes purity and chastity.

Other symbolic meanings are based on the color of the lily, as follows:

• White lilies express purity, virtue, and innocence.
• Pink lilies express abundance and prosperity.
• Red lilies express love and passion
• Orange lilies express confident, wealth, and pride
• Yellow lilies express joy, thankfulness, and good health

Basic Lily Facts

Only lilies that belong to genus Lilium are true lilies, and they are quickly identifiable by their six petals and six anthers (the oval sack which contain the pollen). Lilies usually have big blooms and come in nearly every color. Some lilies are extremely fragrant, while others have no scent at all. Other flowers that have a “lily” in their name, such as Calla lily, Daylily, or Water lily are not “true lilies.”

Lilies are cherished in many cultures and have been throughout history.  They are often considered to embody purity, grace, fertility, and rebirth. Lilies also have a regal-ness and virtuousness about them which makes them a frequent feature in significant ceremonies such as weddings, celebrations, and coronations.

Lily Classifications & Examples

Pink Pixie Lilies

Division 1: Asiatic Hybrid – Long-lasting, colorful, no scent.  (Orange Pixie Lily, Tango, Forever Susan, Elodie Lily)

Turk’s Cap Lily

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

Madonna Lily

Division 3: Candidum Hybrid -Large blooms, lovely fragrance. (Madonna Lily)

Tiger Lily

Division 4: American Hybrid – Colorful and large. Includes hybrids of wild lilies in North America.  (Tiger Lily)

Easter Lilies

Division 5: Longiflorum Hybrid – Trumpet-shaped, fragrant. Bloom during Easter. (Easter Lily)

African Queen Lily

Division 6: Trumpet and Aurelian Hybrids – Large, trumpet-shaped, sweet scent. (African Queen)

Stargazer Lily

Division 7: Oriental Hybrid – Large blooms, enchanting scent. (Stargazer, Casablanca)

Orange LA Hybrid Lily

Division 8: Interdivisional Hybrids – Colorful, mixed. Hybrids of previous seven divisions.

Wild Yellow and Red Lily

Division 9: Species – Delicate, charming. Ancestors to all other classes.

LET’S CELEBRATE

Lilies have made an impression on numerous different cultures because of their vibrancy and beauty. There is nothing quite like the lily flower with all of its grandness, uniqueness, and amazing fragrance. Now that you are more familiar with the different types of lilies, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect one the special people in your life. Conklyn’s Florist has an excellent selection of bouquets featuring lilies as well as other gorgeous blooms. When you’re ready to brighten your, or someone else’s day, check them out here or give us a call!