Lilium, comprising over a hundred natural species is a very large floral genus. Already popular their popularity is increasing each year with good reason. Below are a few tips for buying lilies, caring for them in the home to get the most vase life from them and the differences between cultivars and growing regions.

Lilies are readily available throughout the world year-around. With over  a hundred natural species, lilium is one of the easiest flowers to cultivate and there are now thousands of hybrids available. Once available only through the Dutch and Northern California growers, lilies are now available from a growing number of sources which is helping to drive the prices down and refine the quality.

As with most bulb flowers, the Dutch are considered to be specialist in propagation of lilies with decades of production under strict growing conditions. A couple of Northern California growers have also been growing terrific lilies for a number of years. Now, there are South American growers who are growing lilies, usually field grown, however the quality is not nearly as good though the price is a bit lower. Currently we do not offer South American lilies as we have found the longevity to be decreased as well as the overall quality to be inferior.

Lilies should be purchased once 1 or 2 of the blooms show strong color and 1 or 2 of the blooms are open. Generally, quality lilies will have 4 to 6 blooms and therefore should have one or two open blooms. This is a generalization but a good rule of thumb. If purchasing cut lilies, cut off 1 or 2 inches of the stem, strip the lower leaves and place in a tepid vase of fresh water to which preservative has been added. With proper care and purchasing, lilies will last in the home for 5 to 10 days.

Lilies are available in a broad range of colors depending upon the variety. White, red, cerise, pink, yellow, orange and bi-colored lilies are readily available.  Lilium, already an impressive floral group is growing each year. Over the past few decades customers have come to appreciate the impressive, pink, Stargazer or the beautifully white, Casa Blanca in the Oriental lily family. Now, new cultivars such as Sapporo, which looks like Casa Blanca but which tilts upwards giving it a uniquely different look and Stargazer like lilies with names of Barbaresco or Starfighter are now available. Gorgeous purple Sumatra and the yellow Conca D'Or are both intriguing. Some lily lovers like the color groupings as a whole while others are very specific about the variety they seek as they note the specific quality which has been cultivated into it that makes the lily more suitable to their taste.

Type	Fragrance	Bloom Size	Color Availability
Asiatic	None	3" to 3.5"	White, Pink, Yellow, Orange, Rust, Lavender and bi-colors
Oriental	Strong Fragrance	4" to 6"	Pink, Burgundy and bi-colors
LA Lilies - Cross of (Longiflorum x Asiatic)	Subtle	4" to 6"	White, Pink, Yellow, peach, and bi-colors
OT Lilies - Cross of (Oriental x Trumpet)	Mild to Very Strong	4" to 6"	Yellow, Pink, Burgundy and bi-colors
LO Lilies - Cross of (Longiflorum x Oriental)	Mild	4" to 6"	White, Pink, Yellow, Orange, Rust, Lavender and bi-colors

To be sure, with such a large genus and relatively short hybridization process the possibilities are nearly endless; and as the consumer demands more and more of these lovely flowers you can expect a continuous stream of new crosses on the market in the months and years ahead.