Asiatic vs Oriental lily
Asiatic lilies flower first, in early summer, with upward-facing flowers in clear, strong colours, yellow and orange among them, and almost no scent; they are the easiest lilies to grow. Oriental lilies, such as 'Stargazer' and 'Casa Blanca', flower about six weeks later with bigger, heavily perfumed flowers in white, pink and crimson, and want acid soil that does not dry out. Plant both for lilies through most of the summer. Both are deadly to cats, down to the pollen.
| Asiatic lily Lilium (Asiatic hybrids) | Oriental lily Lilium (Oriental hybrids) | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 3 ft tall, 12 in wide | 4 ft tall, 14 in wide |
| Plant | 12 in apart | 12 in apart |
| Zones | 3 to 8 | 4 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to part sun | Full sun to part sun |
| Soil | Well-drained, rich fertility | Well-drained, rich fertility |
| Flowers | Late June to mid July; orange, yellow, red, pink, white | Early August to late August; white, pink, red |
| Leaves | Medium, herbaceous | Medium, herbaceous |
| Job in a bed | Accent | Accent |
| Pets | Toxic (severe) | Toxic (severe) |
| Deer | No record | No record |
| Native | No | No |
| Spread | Low risk | Low risk |
Rows where they differ are marked. Flowering times are for zone 5.
Which to choose
- Choose Asiatic lily for colder gardens (to zone 3).
- Choose oriental lily for warmer gardens (to zone 9).
Can they grow together?
Yes: they grow in the same conditions. What oriental lily brings beside Asiatic lily: takes over when it finishes, flowering from early August. They share full sun and part sun and zones 4 to 8.
Read more: all about Asiatic lily, and all about oriental lily, each with a bed the planner designed around it.