Welcome to the magnificent world of lilies! With over 100 species, lilies are some of the most diversely colorful and dramatic blooms you’ll ever see. It’s also why they are one of the most popular flowers in the world. Full of cultural symbolism, lilies are loved across centuries and cultures. We love them for their striking beauty and enchanting sweet fragrance!

Lily Symbolism

Lily symbolism varies depeding on the society, but overarching themes associated with the lily are grace, royalty, beauty, and rebirth. Like other flowers, meanings are also based on color so when choosing lilies to gift someone, keep the below guidelines in mind.

• White lilies represent purity, virtue, and innocence.
• Pink lilies represent abundance and prosperity.
• Red lilies represent love and passion
• Orange lilies represent confident, wealth, and pride
• Yellow lilies represent joy, thankfulness, and good health

Quick Lily Facts

• Lilies are a flowering plant that grow from bulbs.
• “True Lilies” belong to the genus Lilium.
• When the flowers bloom, they are large, colorful, and often fragrant.
• True Lilies all have 6 petals and 6 stamens with anthers (oblong pods that contain pollen).
• Lilies are common in weddings and wedding bouquets as well as other regal ceremonies.
• Lilies are poisonous to cats, so keep your furry friends away from them.
• There are nine divisions, or categories, of lily types.
• Lilies are known for being one of the longest-lasting cut blooms with a long in-vase lifespan.

Lily Classifications & Examples

Pink Pixie Lilies

Division 1: Asiatic Hybrid – Most popular lilies in the world. Come in almost every color but have little to no scent. Attractive and long-lasting.  (Tango, Forever Susan, Orange Pixie Lily, Elodie Lily, Lollipop)

Turk’s Cap Lily

Division 2: Martagon Hybrid – Dramatic, visually interesting, producing many small dainty downward-facing blossoms. Flowers can be numerous 40-50 per stem and strikingly colored. (Turk’s Cap)

Madonna Lily

Division 3: Candidum Hybrid – famous for the Madonna lily that has a lovely fragrance white flowers and a yellow base.  Up to 20 blossoms per stem. (Madonna)

Tiger Lily

Division 4: American Hybrid – Includes hybrids of wild lilies in North America.  (Tiger Lily)

Easter Lilies

Division 5: Longiflorum Hybrid – Easter lily and hybrids are with elegant pure white and trumpet-shaped. Bloom during Easter. (Easter Lily)

African Queen Lily

Division 6: Trumpet and Aurelian Hybrids – Tall and elegant with fragrant flowers with stunning trumpet-shaped flowers. Popular Cut Flowers, lush, large trumpet-shaped flowers and heady sweet fragrance. (African Queen)

Stargazer Lily

Division 7: Oriental Hybrid – Known for large, robust, upright flowers. Flowers that fall in this class have large blooms and great scents. Strong, enchanting fragrance.  (Stargazer, Casablanca, Acapulco Lily)

Orange LA Hybrid Lily

Division 8: Interdivisional Hybrids – hybrids of the previous seven divisions.

Wild Yellow and Red Lily

Division 9: Species – pure, wild “parents” of the previous 8 hybrids. Wild lilies that are the ancestors to all of the other classes.Natural and delicate beauty. Charming. 

MONT BLANC

All the Lily Love

Hopefully, by now, you love lilies as much as we do! Their diverse shapes and vibrant colors make them truly special. It is no wonder the lily is one of the most popular flowers in the world and is cherished in most cultures. Brighten someone’s day by sending them a bouquet of fragrant lilies or order them for yourself – you deserve it! Rose Hill Flowers has a great selection of just the perfect floral bouquet for any occasion. Check out our selection of lily bouquets and other beautiful floral arrangements now.