The Lilium comprises ornamental lilies for garden and cut flower cultivation. Well-known groups include Asian, Oriental, and Trumpet Lilies. Liliums are valued for their striking flowers, fragrance, and long vase life. The Netherlands is a global leader in the production and export of lily bulbs and cut lilies, with a focus on quality and innovation.
There are many species and groups within the genus Lilium (true lilies). They are usually classified into a few main groups based on origin, flower shape, and fragrance.
The best-known groups are:
Asian lilies (Asiatic hybrids): Early flowering, many colors, usually no strong fragrance. Hardy garden plants.
Oriental lilies (Oriental lilies): Large flowers with a strong fragrance. Often white, pink, or red.
Trumpet lilies (Trumpet / Aurelian hybrids): Trumpet-shaped flowers, strongly fragrant, and often tall-growing.
Longiflorum lilies: Long, trumpet-shaped white flowers, known as Easter lilies.
Martagon lilies: Trailing flowers with curved petals ("Turkish bonnet" shape). Good for partial shade.
American hybrids: Derived from North American species, often have a wild appearance.
Candidum lilies: Classic white Madonna lilies.
OT, LA, and other crosses: Modern hybrids:
LA hybrids = Longiflorum × Asian
OT hybrids = Oriental × Trumpet
Often extra vigorous and large-flowered.
In addition, there are more than 100 wild Lilium species and thousands of cultivated cultivars.
Yes, that is often possible — but it depends on the type of lily and the conditions.
Many garden lilies are perennials and can remain in the ground for several years without any problems. They will then come up again every spring. Species such as the Asiatic lily and Oriental lily do this particularly well.
After 3–5 years, bulbs may be close together and bloom less. At that point, you can dig them up in the autumn and divide or transplant them.
You can plant lily bulbs in both the autumn and the spring. Bulbs planted in the spring will bloom somewhat earlier than bulbs planted in the spring.
Incidentally, it is possible to plant bulbs stored in the freezer year-round.
Plant the bulbs deep enough (approximately 3 times the thickness of the bulb), as the roots the plant produces directly above the bulb at the base of the stem are more important than the roots the bulb produces. An exception to this is Lilium martagon bulbs: the roots of the bulb are more important here.
