Lilies: Oriental and Asiatic
Oriental Lilies and Asiatic Lilies
Lilies or Liliums as they are known in the local Indian flower market are truly great flowers and their form, bloom season and graceful appearance have their own beauty and elegance. Lilies are in various colors and in different forms which may not be noticeable to the layman but there are different grades and textures of these beautiful flowers. Lilies are tall star shaped flowers that give elegance and height to any flower garden or for any bouquet for that matter.
Stargazer is one of the famous hybrid lily from the Oriental group of lilies that are known for the fragrance and large star like appearance. They are flowers that have a very fast growth rate and can grow up to 36 inches and bloom 4 – 5 bulbs per stem. The most striking feature of these lilies are that they are dotted with red freckles in the center and phase out towards more whitish towards the outer edges.
Another variety of Oriental Lilies are the pure white ones which do have small dotted white spots which may not be very visible.
Lilies grow best in containers. They come in different heights and sizes and can be planted individually or along with other plants. They look beautiful on wooden decks and patio’s and can instantly beautiful anyone’s garden or deck instantly.
Lilies come in two major different forms i.e. Asiatic and Oriental. The best way to tell them apart is by their blooms and their fragrance. Oriental have a strong fragrance while Asiatic have no fragrance at all. Oriental lilies can instantly fill a room with a strong spicy fragrance especially in closed air conditioned rooms or office spaces.
These two also differ in their shapes and their placement on the stems. Both of them have a roundish shape but oriental lilies will have a more wrinkly edge and Asiatic will have a more smooth edge on their petals. Asiatic usually look like an upside down umbrella and usually grow one bloom per stem. Oriental will have a more starfish shape and will have multiple blooms per stem.
From a more technical point of view the Asiatic have a more whitish bulb growth whereas Orientals have more of a yellowish color bulb growth. Leaf shape on the oriental will be more larger and wider tapered where as on Asiatic will be small and thin and in bunches.
Asiatic lilies come in more colors than Oriental in Indian markets. However both these flowers have their distinctive charm and can add a stunning effect to any flower bouquet be it a hand bunch or a vase bouquet with just lilies or a basket bouquet for that matter. Oriental lilies will definitely last longer than Asiatic ones provided they are cared for.
We at May Flower use more of Oriental Lilies as they are our favorite but do use Asiatic as well as per the season of their availability.
