What Lilies Have Scents?

Oriental Lilies

• Oriental lilies are hybrids of species that include Lilium auratum, rubellum and speciosum. These plants grow from 24 to 60 inches tall and exhibit large blooms. Oriental lilies may be pink, purple, red, white or a combination of two of these shades. “Star Gazer” and “Casa Blanca” are two types of lilies within this group. Cut flowers are a common use for this type of lily.

Easter Lily

• The Easter lily, Lilium longiflorum, is another fragrant lily. This plant is native to Asia but is commonly grown in North America. In the United States, Easter lilies are usually seen as pot plants. In Europe, however, this lily is also used for cut flowers. Easter lilies are white or off-white and grow to be 18 to 36 inches tall. They have large, trumpet-shaped flowers.

Oriental-Trumpet Hybrids

• Hybrid plants formed from the cross-pollination of oriental and trumpet lilies feature fragrant scents as well. Species of lilies in this group include sargentiae and
  sulphureum. These heavily scented flowers occur in shades of orange, pink, red, yellow and white. Oriental-Trumpet hybrids are also commonly used for flower cuttings.

Lilium longiflorum-Oriental Hybrids

• Some well-scented hybrids are formed by the cross-pollination of L. longiflorum and various hybrids of oriental lilies. The plants grow between three and four feet in height. The flowers are large and outward facing. These types of hybrids usually have white petals with a dark-colored floral center.