Trumpet Lilies are renowned for their large, trumpet-shaped blooms that often exude a strong, sweet fragrance. These lilies come in a spectrum of colors, including pure whites, rich yellows, and deep pinks, with many varieties featuring contrasting colors on the outside of the petals. They are a hybrid group, combining the hardiness of Trumpet lilies with the exotic beauty of Oriental lilies, resulting in spectacular flowers that can measure up to 8 inches across.
One of the defining characteristics of Trumpet Lilies is their height; many varieties can grow to 4 to 6 feet tall, making them ideal as dramatic focal points in garden beds or borders. They bloom in mid to late summer, providing a burst of color and scent when many other flowers are beginning to fade. Their large flowers are not only a visual treat but are also excellent for cutting, lasting well in arrangements due to their sturdy stems.
These lilies prefer well-drained soil and a sunny spot, although they can tolerate some afternoon shade in hotter climates. They’re relatively easy to grow, requiring minimal care beyond ensuring good soil conditions and adequate watering, especially during their blooming period. Trumpet Lilies are perennial, returning year after year, and they’re often propagated through bulb division, allowing gardeners to expand their collection or share with others.
The fragrance of Trumpet Lilies is one of their most celebrated attributes, often used to enhance garden ambiance or even to scent indoor spaces when cut. Varieties like ‘African Queen’ and ‘Golden Splendour’ are particularly noted for their sweet, almost overpowering scent, which can fill an entire garden.
Trumpet Lilies
‘African Queen’
Renowned for its large, apricot-orange blooms with garnet-brown markings on the outside, ‘African Queen’ is a standout for its sweet, heady fragrance. Each stalk can produce up to 15-20 blossoms, making it a dramatic focal point in mid-summer gardens. Its height can reach up to 6 feet, demanding space but rewarding with its visual and aromatic delight.
‘Golden Splendour’
This variety’s vibrant, golden-yellow trumpets are marked with burgundy on the exterior, offering a striking contrast. ‘Golden Splendour’ is celebrated for its delicious fragrance, producing clusters of 12-20 blossoms per stem. It blooms in mid-summer, providing a long-lasting display of beauty and scent.
‘Pink Perfection’
With its large, purplish-pink trumpet flowers marked with deep carmine on the reverse, ‘Pink Perfection’ adds elegance to any garden. It’s known for its sweet scent and can produce numerous flowers per stem, making a spectacle during mid-summer.
‘Regale’
Often called the Regal Lily, ‘Regale’ has huge, pure white trumpets with golden throats and subtle pinkish-purple streaks. Its enchanting fragrance is one of its most celebrated features, making it a choice plant near patios or pathways. It blooms in mid-summer, with each stem bearing up to 25 blossoms.
‘White American’
Also known as the Easter Lily, ‘White American’ features pristine white trumpet-shaped flowers with slightly recurved petals. Its sweet fragrance is a hallmark, especially when used indoors for Easter decorations or in garden settings during summer.
‘White Heaven’
This lily boasts huge, pure white trumpet-shaped blooms with strongly recurved tips, revealing a yellowish-white heart and orange-yellow stamen. ‘White Heaven’ is delightfully fragrant, offering a divine scent that wafts through the garden, making it a summer favorite.
‘Black Spider’
Although primarily an Asiatic hybrid, its inclusion here is due to its trumpet-like shape. ‘Black Spider’ displays creamy-white flowers heavily freckled with deep burgundy spots, adding a touch of drama. Its fragrance is mild, but its visual impact is significant.
‘Casa Blanca’
Known for its large, pure white blooms, ‘Casa Blanca’ is a classic Trumpet Lily with an intense fragrance. While it’s often classified as an Oriental, its trumpet shape and size qualify it here as well. It’s a popular choice for wedding bouquets and garden landscapes.
‘Anastasia’
With huge, pendant blooms, ‘Anastasia’ features rosy pink hearts fading to white at the tips. Known for its intoxicating fragrance, this lily can grow up to 5 feet tall, making it a prominent feature in any garden or as cut flowers. Its color gradient from pink to white adds a soft, romantic touch to landscapes.
‘Black Beauty’
This lily boasts deep burgundy, almost black flowers with white edges, offering a dramatic contrast. ‘Black Beauty’ is not only visually stunning but also carries a strong, sweet scent. Its height can reach up to 6 feet, making it ideal for the back of borders where its color can be fully appreciated.
‘Conca d’Or’
Known for its large, lemon-yellow flowers with a hint of green in the center, ‘Conca d’Or’ adds a bright, cheerful note to the garden. Its fragrance is delightful, and the flowers are outward-facing, making them perfect for both garden display and bouquets.
‘Robert Swanson’
This variety showcases large, golden-yellow blooms with a bold red-orange center, creating an eye-catching display. ‘Robert Swanson’ lilies are renowned for their robustness and fragrance, growing to impressive heights and blooming in mid to late summer.
‘Scheherazade’
With its large, deep red flowers edged in white and adorned with dark spots, ‘Scheherazade’ evokes an exotic, mysterious vibe. This lily’s fragrance is equally enchanting, and its blooms face outward, enhancing their visibility and appeal in garden settings.
‘Beverly’
‘Beverly’ is known for its super-tall stature, super-fragrant scent, and super-colorful blooms. This variety offers raspberry-red flowers with a soft yellow edging, making it visually striking. Its blooms are large, often over 8 inches across, providing a bold statement in any garden.
‘Outback’
Featuring lovely, outward-facing, soft yellow blooms, ‘Outback’ is appreciated for its great fragrance. It combines the vigor of Trumpet lilies with the beauty of Oriental ones, growing well in full sun to partial shade, making it adaptable to various garden conditions.
‘African Lady’
With its raspberry-red flowers that have a soft yellow edging, ‘African Lady’ not only has an amazing fragrance but also a beautiful appearance. Each bloom can measure up to 8 inches, providing a striking focal point in the garden.
Budlight’
The first white and yellow OT hybrid, ‘Budlight’ is noted for its towering height, dazzling fragrance, and impressive flowers. It’s a perfect choice for those seeking a more subdued color palette with the classic lily shape and scent.
‘Altari’
‘Altari’ displays large, star-shaped raspberry blossoms with recurved tepals tipped in white, contributing to its unique and beautiful fragrance. These lilies can grow quite tall, offering a spectacular show in the garden during summer.
Copper King Lily
‘Copper King’ boasts stunning copper-orange petals with a golden throat. Its warm, earthy tones add a unique touch to garden landscapes. This hardy variety thrives in both full sun and partial shade.
Lady Alice Lily
‘Lady Alice’ stands out with its creamy white petals and distinct orange freckles near the throat. The recurved petals and graceful form give it a delicate beauty. It thrives in well-drained soil and brings elegance to shaded garden spots.
White Henryi Lily
This sophisticated variety features creamy white petals with a soft apricot throat. The petals are slightly recurved, creating a graceful and airy appearance. ‘White Henryi’ is known for its strong fragrance and tall, sturdy stems.
Tangerine Dream Lily
‘Tangerine Dream’ offers vivid orange blooms with a glowing golden center. The energetic color and delightful fragrance bring vibrancy and warmth to garden beds.
Emperor’s Crown Lily
Majestic and regal, ‘Emperor’s Crown’ features large trumpet-shaped blooms in a rich crimson hue with a golden throat. Its bold color and tall stature make it a commanding presence in any garden.
Lemon Mist Lily
Delicate and refreshing, ‘Lemon Mist’ offers pale yellow blooms with a hint of cream near the throat. The soft hues and graceful form create a tranquil and serene garden atmosphere.
Pink Planet Lily
With its large, trumpet-shaped blooms in vibrant pink hues, ‘Pink Planet’ adds a playful and cheerful vibe to garden beds. Its tall stems make it perfect for creating vertical interest in landscapes.
Muscadet Lily
This variety offers elegant white flowers with a subtle pink blush on the outside, providing a sophisticated contrast. It’s known for its strong fragrance, making it a delightful addition to any garden bed or floral arrangement.