Description and varietal characteristics of lily species, how they look and what they are
Lilies, beloved by all flower growers, grow in most summer cottages. These slender, strong plants raise their bright, sophisticated flowers high, decorating the flower beds and filling the air with a subtle scent. The word "lily" is translated as "whiteness", but the flowers have different colors and shapes. Consider the types and varieties of lilies - the most beautiful and popular among flower growers.
Description, structure and characteristics of the lily
Lily is a common and popular flower, everyone knows how it looks. It is often given or received as a gift; at least one species grows in each garden plot.
It is a perennial plant of the lily family. The stem extending into the ground forms a bulb, consisting of scales of different sizes. In the summer, the scales are constantly growing, the extreme ones die off. The size of the bulb varies and ranges from 0.2 to 10 centimeters in different species.
The stem is straight and smooth, usually slightly covered with leaves without petioles. The stem color is green to brown. Height ranges from 25 centimeters to 1.5-2 meters. There are garden giants, the stem of which grows up to 3-4 meters. The leaves also vary in color - from green to dark purple, sometimes pubescent.
In the axils of the leaves in some species, bulbs are formed, which disappear when ripe. New plants grow from them.
The main characteristic of all lilies is six-petalled flowers, each having 6 stamens with long anthers. The diameter of flowers ranges from 2 centimeters in natural specimens to 30 centimeters in bred hybrids.
On one plant there are from 2 to 30 flowers of various shapes, collected in inflorescences of different types.
Note that, as a result of selection, some hybrids received other characteristics. There are terry lilies with a large number of petals and species that grow up to 100 flowers.
Where does it grow?
In nature, all varieties of lilies are found only in the northern hemisphere - Asia, America, Europe. Some areas of China and Burma are famous for the abundance of natural species. Lilies choose rocky slopes for life, forest glades, in the steppe regions they are rare.
Garden lilies take root in any region, therefore they are grown everywhere.
What color are lilies?
Over the years of breeding, flower growers have received varieties of different colors - from white to burgundy, almost black.In most cases, lilies are white in name only, garden beauties shine in different shades of pink, orange, yellow, red. Many varieties have a complex color - from 2-3 flowers, have specks and stripes of green, purple or lilac tones.
The Mystery Dream variety is distinguished by an exotic look - with double flowers of a green hue and spots of purple.
Blue or blue lilies are an old dream of summer residents and breeders, they have been working on obtaining them for many years. The Japanese promise to withdraw them within the next few years.
Varieties
Lilies have been breeding for a long time and successfully, there are 10 thousand varieties and hybrids, several hundred new ones appear every year. It is difficult to understand this variety.
In 1962, the plants were divided into 10 sections, and it became easier for a simple summer resident to find out what flowers are and choose a variety.
Asian
The largest group of species and varieties is 5 thousand. Representatives of the section are unpretentious, easily take root and multiply, endure frost and shade areas.
Many beautiful exquisite hybrids - Mapira, Mystery Dream, Lion Heart. Most Asian species, to the delight of many summer residents, are odorless. Many varieties bloom for up to a month.
Snow-white
The descendants of Lilium candidum are distinguished by snow-white or slightly beige petals. The petals are rounded or with sharp edges, dense, the diameter of the flower is up to 10-12 centimeters, the aroma is pronounced. Also called European. They love care and attention, the bright sun. In frosts, they require shelter.
Representatives - Madonna, Apollo.
American
Characteristic features are a tall stem (up to 1.8 meters), multicolor, speckled petals, bell-shaped or tubular. Derived from natural North American species.
Outstanding representatives of the class - Afterglow, Cherry Wood, Del North.
Longiflorum
These species are obtained from tropical natural lilies of Asia; in Russia they are planted in greenhouses or apartments because of their low frost resistance. The flowers are similar to long large bells (up to 15 centimeters in height), the stem is low - about a meter. They have a delicate scent.
Popular - White Elegance, White Fox.
Tubular
Large class of lilies - 1000 varieties. They have a strong aroma and bloom in July. They are unpretentious and hardy, like Asian varieties, they get sick a little, they require sunny areas.
A high stem (up to 190 centimeters), large flower heads make tubular varieties decorative and popular with flower growers. Best views - Lady Alice, African Queen, Royal Gold.
Eastern
This group of lilies is obtained from natural plants of the East of Asia and has 1300 species. Flowers are characterized by wavy petals, large diameter - up to 30 centimeters. The shape of the flowers is different - straight and curved petals, tubular.
Outstanding representatives are Le Rev, Casa Blanca, Canberra, Mero Star.
Peony
This name is not officially used in the classification. Peony varieties can be called varieties with dense terry, a large number of petals.
Terry varieties - Mystery Dream (greenish color), Elodie (pale pink miracle), Aphrodite, Polar Star.
Multi-flowered
The number of flowers in an inflorescence largely depends on the care and living conditions of the plant. The following varieties often give a large number of flowers:
- Aphrodite - up to 30;
- Marlene - 30-100;
- Spring Pink - 30;
- Red Hot - up to 40.
When fasciated in some varieties (Marlene), up to a hundred buds bloom.
Late blooming
Late varieties of lilies bloom in late July and bloom until September. Late flowering species are characterized by a strong stem and large, bright flowers.
Popular late blooming species are Crystal Star, Rialto, Marco Polo, Double Star, Fata Morgana, Casa Blanca, Pink Perfection.
Undersized
Short-stemmed lilies decorate small flower beds well without shading other plants. Some Asian species have this property, the stem of which does not grow more than 40 centimeters. They are not used in the cut.Often grown in pots.
Famous varieties - Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro, Sorocaba.
Without smell
Those who cannot stand the lily smell should choose Asian varieties and LA hybrids. This is especially true for cutting and using in bouquets. Let's note the best varieties - Detroit, Mapira, Lollipop.
Large hybrids
Large flowers on high stems are a real decoration of the garden. The largest hybrids:
- Flower up to 30 centimeters, white and yellow. The stem is up to a meter long, holds from 2 to 12 flowers.
- Very high stem up to 2 meters. Lilies are bright pink with shades of purple, the center is yellow-white with green stripes. The diameter of the flower is 25 centimeters.
- Double yellow - very expressive yellow double flowers with a diameter of 22 centimeters.
- Urandi - flowers up to 22 centimeters on a high stem. The color of the flowers is white, orange, red.
Such cut flowers are especially good.
High
Plants with long stems are planted in a separate group so they don't cover or shade other flowers. The most beautiful tall lilies are Afterglow (2 meters), Slate’s Morning (1.5 meters), Claude Shride (190 centimeters), Pink Perfection (180 centimeters). The Cardiocrinum, which grows up to 4 meters, stands apart.
Popular varieties
The varieties loved by flower growers are easy to grow, beautiful. An important varietal characteristic for Russia is frost resistance. Many summer residents love lilies, which easily tolerate a lack of light and do not need shelter for the winter.
Marlene
Stem height - up to a meter. Flowers - delicate pink shade with dark stamens. In a healthy, strong plant of the Marlene variety, fasciation is often observed, which leads to the formation of a large number of ovaries - 30-100. This happens for 2-3 years.
With 2-3 buds, lilies are large in size, with multiflowering, which is one of the main characteristics of the variety, individual elements are not so large and beautiful.
Red Twin
A variety of Asian lily with large flowers (up to 16 centimeters) of bright red color. The stem is strong and high (up to a meter). Up to 8-12 flowers bloom on one plant, which look like a real bouquet. Terry flowers - the stamens have grown and turned into additional petals inside the thicket. Bloom - June-July.
Lady Alice
Refined and flamboyant Lady Alice belongs to the tiger species. There is a yellow-orange stripe in the center of the white petals, the petals are bent towards the stem. Blossoming in August. Flowers drooping, 2-15 pieces per inflorescence.
The stem is covered with sessile leaves with a slight edging. It tolerates frosts down to -35 °.
Purple Prince
Delicate purple lilies grow on a tall, sturdy stem. The petals are shiny, glossy. One plant produces up to 30 buds. Unbroken buds look almost black.
Triumphant
The representative of LO-hybrids does not tolerate frost well, requires insulation for the winter. A remarkably beautiful flower up to 25 centimeters in diameter - white petals with a lilac-pink center, slightly twisted to the stem.
White Triumph
White flowers with a greenish center will be a real decoration of the flower garden. Their size reaches 20 centimeters, the edges of the petals are slightly curved back. Flowers look good in a bouquet with gladioli, gerberas.
White Triumph have a pronounced odor, the stem is up to 120 centimeters, 3-5 buds in the inflorescence.
Miss Fairy
Miss Feya is purplish red with specks along the petals and a thin white border around the edge. Produces up to 30 flowers per stem with a pronounced lily aroma.
In winter, the plant needs shelter, since frost resistance is weak. Flowering - in the middle or late summer. The plant is large - the stem is up to 1.5 meters.
Black Charm
Black Charm will delight lovers of dark colors. The color of the petals is red-black, bright orange stamens enliven the bowl. The gloomy beauty releases 3-6 flowers on a stem up to 80 centimeters high.
It blooms amicably and abundantly, unpretentious, suitable for growing inexperienced summer residents.
Royal lily
This species exactly corresponds to the name - the flowers are white, strongly open, the stamens and the middle of the flower are colored orange-yellow. Inflorescence - up to 7 buds. The plant is unpretentious, blooms in any conditions.
Curly lily
The flower with strongly twisted petals has several names - locust, curly, Turkish. It has been noticed by flower growers for a long time in the forests of Europe and Siberia. It has been bred since the 18th century in greenhouses.
The name is Lilium martagon. Lilies of this variety are not the most popular, although they decorate the site well. The Martagon varieties are colored in different colors - orange, purple, yellow. Flowering - 2-3 weeks in the last part of June. It tolerates severe frosts well.
Pyramidal lily
Pyramidal varieties are called varieties that are prone to fasciation, that is, splicing and thickening of the stem. A prominent representative is Marlene, other varieties are Red Hot, Aphrodite, Iliya. Florists consider the term "pyramidal" to be incorrect.
Chinese Belamkanda
A delicate plant with thin variegated petals, for the spotting it received the name "tiger lily". Flowers become brighter and more expressive with every season. Has several hybrids:
- flava - pure yellow flowers without specks
- fan - orange buds, stem with a basal green rosette;
- purpurea are pink and white spotted flowers.
Plants take root well and delight with flowering for a long time.
African lily
Agapanthus is native to southern Africa. Elongated, bright green leaves form a dense growth near the ground. Peduncles are long, hold a bouquet of medium-sized flowers. The plant belongs to the genus Agapant, it is only called a lily.
The color of the petals is white, blue, lilac-violet, blue. Up to 200 flowers are collected in the inflorescence.
Giant Lily Cardiocrinum
This species is suitable for growing persistent, self-confident flower growers. Cardiocrinum blooms once, 3-4 years after planting, gives birth to children and dies. The plant is a real giant, the stem is hollow, thick (up to 6 centimeters in diameter), the height is 1.5-4 meters, depending on the variety.
Lilies are large, white, with bright stripes in the center of the petals. The plant has a truly royal appearance, rises above all plants, it will not work to create an ensemble with Cardiocrinum in a flower bed. Usually Cardiocrinum is planted in separate groups; by throwing seeds, giants create entire thickets.
Types of Cardiocrinum - Glen, Chinese, giant.
Dwarf lily
A small lily with thin delicate red petals. Plant height does not exceed 70 centimeters, lilies are medium-sized (up to 4 centimeters), drooping. Flowering in June, about 2 weeks.
Reference: Dwarf lilies favorably decorate rocky gardens and alpine slides, are very popular with flower growers.
Room lily
Growing lilies in an apartment makes it possible to admire the flowering not only in summer. Ornamental varieties with short stems and lush flowers are chosen for pot cultivation.
The best indoor views are:
- Grand Commander;
- Empress of China;
- Royal Gold;
- Dwarf lily;
- Regal.
At home, flower growers often grow varieties for open ground, which bloom profusely in the apartment.
A variety of varieties and hybrids makes lilies a popular flower in summer cottages. Asian species grow and develop well in all regions of Russia and do not require much effort to grow. Lilies look great in ceremonial bouquets and among other plants in the garden.
