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.

This 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

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

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 plant may soon be as high as her home.

You think so ?