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Saturday, June 30, 2012

Lily — Asiatic OR Oriental ?

Know the difference between Asiatic & Oriental Lilies?

Neither do I, but this lily plant in our neighbor’s yard has been growing taller daily. If you’re wondering WHY not just ask our neighbor — she’s been travelling this summer and isn’t home.

IMG_6478This is just one of the blooms on this lily – there’s at least a dozen more. The below photos show a bud, the center stalk and leaves

big orchidThe plant has grown taller than the fence behind it. The blooms are very large and also very fragrant.

big orchid collageorchard closeups

After doing some online research, this appears to be an Oriental Lily vs. an Asiatic Lily — eHow provided this info:

Asiatic lilies are native to Central and Western Asia and have been cultivated in gardens for more than 3,000 years. Some Asiatic lilies are referred to as Asiatic Hybrids because they are crosses with North American lilies. The Asiatics have the broadest range of colors available in lilies, with blooms in all shades of yellow, orange, pink, red and white, as well as bi-colors. Asiatics grow 2 - 4 feet tall and have flowers 4 - 6 inches across. They are rarely fragrant. Asiatics usually bloom in late May or early June and stay in flower for 2 or 3 weeks.

Oriental lilies are hybrids between two types of Japanese lilies, Lilium auratum and Lilium speciosum. The cross was made in 1869 by American horticulturist Francis Parkman. These August bloomers grow up to 6 feet tall and have huge flowers that can be as much as 12 inches across. They are highly fragrant, particularly at night. Orientals come in shades of white, pink and red, and often have raised spots on the inside of the petals called papilliae. The two most famous varieties of Oriental lilies are the dark pink Stargazer and the huge, white Casablanca.

We’re thinking that IF our neighbor isn’t back soon, this IMG_6452plant may soon be as high as her home.

You think so ?

13 comments:

Donna OShaughnessy said...

I always thought the two were the same. Now I know

Out on the prairie said...

what a lovely flower, I like the tall ones

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

And she is not home to enjoy this beauty! Good to know yoiu can, What an awesome flower!

Anonymous said...

So pretty and I wish I could smell the fragrance!

grammie g said...

Hi B...Is it hot enough for ya.. : }
I feel like I'm melting away ..darn come to think of it I wish I was melting away at the waist line !!
That lily is a gorgeous thing,and the color is so bright and sunny!!
Wouldn't you know that with all the work we put into gardens that somebody always seems to have these lovely flowers without any help!!
Enjoy it!!
Grace

Elaine said...

That's one beautiful lily! The really important difference for me between the Oriental and the Asiatic Lilies is the Asiatic Lily will come back year after year here. Bloom time here is a bit later--mine have not bloomed yet, but hopefully in the next few weeks.

MadSnapper said...

this is amazing, i have never seen one this tall or with that many flowers. it is a wow factor for me. great shots, all of them.

(GBS) NewsFromTheHill said...

Isn't that beautiful! Much more ornamental than the thistles blooming at the new house site. :)

Have you had any lookers at the house?

Grace

Montanagirl said...

Wow - That is the biggest, Tallest Lily I've ever seen!

Lois Evensen said...

Beautiful lily! It appears to be the type that are available in white at Easter. So pretty!

jp@A Green Ridge said...

Thanks for sharing!!!...:)JP

Swamp Dog said...

Did you check out the fragrance? They are sure pretty.

Anvilcloud said...

I'm confused, but what else is new? I thought they were two different names for the same thing. I also thought the Stargazer was an Asiatic because it falls prey to the Asiatic Red Beetle.