Lilies of many different varieties out there

July and August are peak lily season, and their beautiful colors and forms grace our gardens and landscapes. There are many different varieties of lilies available to gardeners. All feature large, colorful blooms, some as large as 1 foot across.

There are true lilies, and then there are daylilies. Each are completely different as far as their growth habit and form. All perform excellent in our area in part shade to full sun.

True lilies are bulb-like plants. They grow on stalks from a large bulbous mass beneath the surface. There are several different varieties of true lilies. There are Asiatic lilies, trumpet lilies, oriental lilies, as well as hybrids of these forms. Perhaps the most popular are the oriental trumpet hybrid lilies, often sold and marketed as lily trees, because they grow exceptionally tall with thick, sturdy stems.

Asiatic lilies are likely the most common in our area because of their ease to grow and their large, wide-open, colorful blooms. There are Asiatic lilies for all places in the garden. There are dwarf varieties for containers and borders, as well as tall Asiatics that may grow 5-6 feet in height. These lilies come in all colors of the rainbow from pure white to near black and just about every color in between.

The oriental lilies are exceptionally fragrant and may grow quite large. Oriental lilies include such traditional favorites as Casa Blanca and Star Gazer. These are heavily fragrant, large blooming lilies.

The oriental trumpet hybrids, called Orienpets, feature even larger blooms on larger plants. Some of these may grow up to 10 feet tall after several years in the garden and feature up to 50 massive blooms. Oriental trumpet lilies are called lily trees by many plant marketers. Their buds are so large and have such a great substance that birds are often seen perching upon them. These lilies are all highly fragrant and sought after by gardeners in our area.

Daylilies are not related to true lilies at all, but they are just as beautiful in the garden and are available in thousands of varieties. The main difference between daylilies and lilies is that daylilies grow large masses of grassy foliage and send out multiple flowering scapes from each fan of grass-like growth. There are many varieties of daylilies to choose from and, like lilies, they come in all colors.

There are dwarf daylilies that are perfect for containers and borders. There are also daylilies that reach 4-5 feet tall that can be used as centerpiece plants in the garden.

Hundreds of new varieties of daylilies are introduced to the market every year, and they grow increasingly ornate and extravagant with every passing year. Many feature heavily textured blooms and ruffled or fringed edges that are simply gorgeous.

There are single blooming daylilies, as well as daylilies that bloom in rose like farm with layers and layers of petals. Some daylilies are rounded, while others are thin and spidery. All are elegant and treasured garden plants.

Enjoy exploring the world of lilies in your garden this summer.

Rob Zimmer is a nature and garden author, public speaker and radio show host on WHBY. Readers can find him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RobZimmerOutdoors.