Asiatic Lilies are among the most popular lilies due to their hardiness, ease of cultivation, and vibrant colors. These lilies come in an array of hues including reds, oranges, yellows, pinks, and whites, often with contrasting spots or edges. Unlike some other lilies, Asiatic varieties are typically unscented or have a very mild fragrance, which makes them ideal for those who prefer color without the overpowering aroma of other lily types.
One of the key attractions of Asiatic Lilies is their versatility in garden settings. They thrive in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade, making them suitable for both border plantings and container gardening. Their blooms, which appear in early to mid-summer, offer gardeners a burst of color when many other plants might be waning. With their upward-facing flowers, these lilies also make excellent cut flowers, adding cheer to indoor spaces.
Maintenance for Asiatic Lilies is relatively straightforward. They require minimal care beyond ensuring they receive enough light and water. Planting should be done in the fall or early spring, with bulbs positioned at a depth about twice their size. Once established, Asiatic Lilies are somewhat drought-tolerant but benefit from regular watering during dry spells. Deadheading spent flowers can encourage more blooms, and while they multiply by bulb offsets, they’re not as aggressive as some other perennial plants.
The diversity within Asiatic Lilies includes dwarf varieties, which are perfect for smaller spaces or as front border plants, and taller varieties that can act as focal points in larger garden beds. Some notable varieties include ‘Tiny Rocket’ for its compact size and bright colors, and ‘Black Spider’ for its dramatic, dark-spotted blooms. Whether you’re aiming for a splash of color, a sophisticated garden design, or simply want to enjoy the beauty of these flowers indoors, Asiatic Lilies are a rewarding choice for any gardener.
Asiatic Lilies
Enchantment Lily
One of the most popular varieties, ‘Enchantment’ features vivid orange petals with subtle black speckles near the center. Its bright, cheerful blooms create a striking contrast against green foliage. Growing up to 3 feet tall, it’s a vibrant addition to any summer garden.
Lollipop Lily
‘Lollipop’ is a bicolor beauty with creamy white petals and striking raspberry-pink tips. Its compact growth habit makes it perfect for containers and smaller garden spaces. This delightful lily brings a playful charm to garden beds.
Red Velvet Lily
True to its name, ‘Red Velvet’ boasts deep crimson-red blooms with a velvety texture. The rich, bold color adds drama and elegance to garden borders. This variety thrives in full sun and reaches heights of up to 4 feet.
Yellow Pixels Lily
‘Yellow Pixels’ brightens any garden with its sunny yellow blooms and delicate speckling near the center. Compact and cheerful, this lily is ideal for mass plantings or container gardens, creating a joyful atmosphere.
Matrix Lily
‘Matrix’ features vibrant red-orange petals with a golden glow near the center. Its compact size, growing only up to 18 inches tall, makes it perfect for container gardening or front-border plantings. The vivid color is sure to catch the eye.
Landini Lily
For those who love dark, moody hues, ‘Landini’ delivers with its near-black, deep burgundy petals. This dramatic lily stands out beautifully when paired with lighter-colored blooms, creating a striking contrast.
Brunello Lily
The bright orange blooms of ‘Brunello’ are unspotted, giving them a clean and modern appearance. This variety thrives in well-drained soil and adds a burst of color to summer gardens.
Peach Dwarf Lily
‘Peach Dwarf’ is a compact variety with soft peach-colored blooms. Its delicate hue brings a sense of warmth and tranquility to garden beds. This lily is ideal for smaller spaces and container plantings.
Forever Susan Lily
‘Forever Susan’ captivates with its dark maroon petals contrasted by vibrant orange centers. This bold bicolor variety is a standout in any garden, offering a dramatic and exotic appearance.
Corsica Lily
The soft pink blooms of ‘Corsica’ add a touch of romance to garden spaces. Delicate and elegant, this variety thrives in full sun and pairs beautifully with other pastel-colored flowers.
Golden Stone Lily
‘Golden Stone’ showcases bright yellow petals with maroon speckles near the center. Its sunny disposition and hardy nature make it a favorite for brightening up garden beds and borders.
Patricia’s Pride Lily
This striking variety features white petals with dark maroon centers, creating a stunning contrast. The unique coloration of ‘Patricia’s Pride’ makes it a focal point in any garden.
Connecticut King Lily
‘Connecticut King’ dazzles with its pure golden-yellow blooms. This reliable and vigorous variety is perfect for mass plantings, creating a sea of sunshine in summer gardens.
Orange Pixie Lily
Compact and vibrant, ‘Orange Pixie’ produces clusters of bright orange blooms. Its small size makes it ideal for container gardening and front-border plantings.
Night Rider Lily
‘Night Rider’ offers a rare and exotic appearance with dark purple to almost black petals. Its dramatic blooms create a sophisticated and mysterious vibe in the garden.
Chianti Lily
The soft wine-red blooms of ‘Chianti’ have a velvety texture that exudes elegance. This variety pairs beautifully with lighter-colored lilies for a harmonious garden display.
Pink County Lily
‘Pink County’ delights with its vibrant pink petals and subtle speckling. The cheerful blooms add a pop of color to summer gardens and are perfect for cutting gardens.
Tango Passion Lily
‘Tango Passion’ stands out with its unique bicolor petals — a golden-yellow base splattered with bold maroon speckles. Its eye-catching appearance makes it a favorite for contemporary garden designs.
Tiny Rocket
Developed in the Netherlands, this dwarf Asiatic lily is perfect for container gardens. Its compact size doesn’t compromise on its vibrant colors, often a mix of reds, yellows, or oranges, making it a delightful addition to small spaces or as a border plant. The flowers are upright and cup-shaped, attracting attention for their vivid hues.
Strawberry Custard
This variety blooms in late spring to early summer, offering a unique blend of strawberry-red edged petals with a creamy-yellow center. It’s adaptable, growing well in full sun to partial shade, which makes it versatile for various garden settings. The contrast in colors provides a striking visual in any garden bed.
Tiny Ghost
Known for its early blooming period around May or June, ‘Tiny Ghost’ is another dwarf variety that’s unscented but no less beautiful. With its delicate white petals sometimes brushed with soft pinks or purples, it’s ideal for those looking to add understated elegance to their garden. Its natural short stature means it seldom needs staking.
Tiny Double You
This lily is celebrated for its intense, sweet scent and its double-flowered blooms in bright orange. The double petals give it a fuller look, making each flower appear like a burst of color. Perfect for intimate garden settings where fragrance is as crucial as visual appeal.
Black Spider
An Asiatic lily with dramatic flair, ‘Black Spider’ features creamy-white flowers heavily freckled with deep burgundy spots and black hearts. It adds a touch of mystery and sophistication to any garden, blooming in early to mid-summer, and it’s particularly noted for its ornamental value in borders or containers.
Junior Joy
This variety brings joy with its cheerful, upward-facing blooms in bright yellow or orange. It’s among the earliest to bloom, adding a splash of color when many gardens are still waking up from winter. Its robust nature makes it a reliable choice for both novice and seasoned gardeners.
King Pete
Showy and vibrant, ‘King Pete’ boasts wide-open, bright yellow flowers with darker yellow centers and chocolate freckles. This lily won the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in 2002, highlighting its garden-worthiness. Its blooms in early to mid-summer are a gardener’s delight.
Monte Negro
With dark red or orange flowers, ‘Monte Negro’ is an early bloomer providing a rich, bold color palette. Its hardiness allows it to thrive in various zones, and the depth of color it brings to a garden is unmatched, making it a favorite for those looking to add drama.
Push Off
Offering huge creamy-white flowers with burgundy spots at the heart, ‘Push Off’ is both striking and elegant. It’s an excellent choice for borders where you want flowers to stand out, providing a contrast with its surrounding plants. Its blooms in early to mid-summer offer a long-lasting display.
Rosella’s Dream
This lily features soft cream petals delicately flushed cherry pink at their tips, with chocolate freckles at the heart. It’s known for its decorative, wide-open flowers, making it a great choice for both garden landscapes and cut flower arrangements. Its compact growth habit suits it well for container gardening.
Supreme Joy
With its orange blooms, ‘Supreme Joy’ adds a burst of summer color. Its upward-facing flowers and sturdy stems mean it doesn’t require staking, making it a low-maintenance option that still delivers on visual impact. It’s particularly effective in mass plantings or as a focal point.
Tiny Nugget
A dwarf variety with bright yellow flowers, ‘Tiny Nugget’ is perfect for those looking to add color without taking up much space. Its small size makes it ideal for rock gardens or as a front border plant, blooming early to delight gardeners with its sunny disposition.
Tiny Rocket
(distinct from the one mentioned earlier, this refers to another ‘Tiny Rocket’ with different color variations): This dwarf lily often comes in fiery reds or oranges, providing a rocket of color to any garden setting. Its compact form is lovely in pots, where it can be enjoyed up close on patios or balconies.
Patricia’s Pride
With white flowers brushed with deep purple, this lily stands out for its unique color combination. Blooming in early to mid-summer, it’s about 32 inches tall, making it a nice middle-ground plant for garden designs, offering both height and color.
Known for its large, 4- to 5-inch red flowers, ‘Gran Paradiso’ is a statement plant. At 3 to 4 feet tall, it’s hardy in Zones 3 to 8, blooming in early to mid-summer. Its bold color and size make it perfect for the back of borders or as a standalone feature in garden layouts.
Netty’s Pride
This Asiatic lily sports dark maroon flowers with white tips, offering a sophisticated look. It’s a robust variety, often used in more formal garden settings or where gardeners want to make a bold color statement without the fragrance of Oriental lilies.
Grand Cru
With bright yellow flowers and dark orange centers, ‘Grand Cru’ is a feast for the eyes. This variety is known for its hardiness and its ability to thrive in a variety of conditions, making it a go-to for gardeners aiming for a vibrant, sunlit garden corner.
Purple Eye
Dark purple star-shaped flowers with pink tips characterize ‘Purple Eye’. Blooming in mid-summer, it’s about 1 meter tall and is a wonderful choice for adding a splash of unique color to any garden, especially effective in mixed borders.