There are hundreds of plants that have the common name lily.  I like to refer to plants in the Lilium genus as garden lilies or true lily.  These are perennial plants that grow from underground bulbs that can be planted either in the spring or the fall.  They are a great addition to any full sun garden.

Tiger lily are known for their spots.  Most have bright orange fragrant flowers that may reach to 3″ across.  Sometimes they are referred to as ditch lilies because they are often found growing on the roadside.  A full sun plant that can reach up to 3 feet and may need staking if in a wind-swept location.

Trumpet lily are tall easily reaching up to 4 or 5 foot tall and will need staked to keep upright.  They have tubular out facing flowers that are extremely fragrant.  Most trumpet lilies are white or orange but some new hybrids are breathing life into this group of bulbs.

The Turks Cap lily (Lilium canadense) is a Nebraska native.  Found the Eastern half of the state.  Blooms late June into early July reaching anywhere from 2 to 5 foot in height.  They are tolerant of damp locations and are often found in river valleys and moist thickets.

Scott Evans

Scott Evans is a horticulture assistant with Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties. A certified arborist through International Society of Arboirculture and Nebraska Arborist Association. Scott is also Tree Risk Assessment Qualified through ISA. Scott co-leads the Master Gardener program in Douglas & Sarpy counties. Along with volunteer management he provides his expertise with disease and insect identification, lawn and landscape weed management, plant health, and I.P.M. practices. He also enjoys growing many houseplants ranging from African violets to cacti and succulents. Scott has two Bachelors of Science, one in Biology (emphasis in Botany, Ecology and Environmental Science) and second in Environmental Geology from Northwest Missouri State University. He earned his Master of Agriculture from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.