Red Lily Types – 12 Different Types of Red Lilies You Need to See

The Ultimate Guide to Red Lily Types

Red Lily Types

The name alone will not make it a lily. The lily group has to be of the genus Lilium. Many flower names have ‘lily’ in them. However, some are not lilies. Examples of these names include arum lilies, canna lilies, water lilies, and day lilies. True lilies grow from bulbs and not tubers like non-lilies. The name lilies cover a wide range of colors, not only the white flowers that are usually associated with the name. 

My passion for lilies has grown from the first day I received a bouquet of these beautiful blooms. Now I strive to have them in my garden and enjoy their elegant and flamboyant looks each summer. Lilies attract bees during the flowering season. 

The lily comes from the cooler regions of Europe, North America, and Asia. There are about 80-100 species grown all over the world today. With its vivid blooms, this hardy plant originally developed in forests, mountainous regions, grasslands, and even marshes. Given the correct conditions and care, lilies can be produced from bulbs almost anywhere. You can buy these bulbs, which are dormant and ready for spring planting. Planting can begin as soon as you see the last frost at the beginning of spring. 

Different Types of Lilies and the lily culture

Lilies are one of the flowers that people are passionate about. No wonder the flowers are among the largest; they burst out in colors from pure white to pinks, purples, vibrant oranges, magenta, mustard, and red. The flowers are painted with several colors, freckles, or patterns. The color combinations that nature presents us are breathtaking. The plants can be placed in your garden for visual appeal and their fragrance. Lily fragrances are often found in perfumes. 

Lilies are considered to be symbolic of purity and devotion. It is fittingly considered to be the 30th-anniversary flower. Different colors convey different emotions: 

• · White lilies are symbolic of being virtuous and pure
• · Red lilies are for giving deep passion
• · Yellow lilies symbolize pleasure and appreciation
• · Pink lilies are for prosperity and abundance
• · Orange lilies are for wealth, confidence, and pride

Lily bulbs and roots are thought to have medicinal properties and have been used to treat women in labor, stomach disorders, and fevers. Burns and sores are also treated with topical application. However, lilies are highly toxic to cats. 

Lilies are used widely as cut flowers. You will know how impressive and charming lilies can be if you ever receive a delightful bouquet of these elegant blooms. They are the centerpiece in statement flower arrangements and are famous for weddings and other occasions. 

With over 100 varieties and many thousands of hybrids, finding a suitable color and size is easy. Red lilies are incredibly striking and are loved for their deep solid color and sometimes for highlighting the red with another color. Shades of pink and orange often help to highlight the vibrant red color even more. A symbol of passion and unwavering love, it is a flower that deserves a place in your garden. 

The International Lily Register and the North American Lily Society

The classification of the lily flowers of the world is taken seriously by botanists and plant enthusiasts. The Royal Horticultural Society is deemed the authority for lily species in the United Kingdom. It publishes the International Lily Register, where cultivar names used in the genus are easily referenced.  

The North American Lily Society (NALS) has been similarly active in promoting interest in the genus Lilium since it was organized in 1947. 

Canada is known as the Land of Lilies because it has the largest and most spectacular flowers of the genus Lilium. Canadian lilies are found growing wild as well as in gardens. 

Botanists classify lilies into nine different divisions according to their genetics and hybridization history. This is helpful to plant enthusiasts to get to know more about what you are growing. They are:

• I Asiatic Hybrids are trendy, easy to grow, and the least expensive. This is a large group with a wide variation in hybrids.
• II Martagon Hybrids- Most shade-tolerant lilies. It has tall spikes and smaller flowers shaped like a Turk’s cap and facing downwards. The flower petals are curved backward and seem to touch the base of the flower. 
• III Candidum (Euro Caucasian) Hybrids- More challenging to cultivate. This group mainly includes European species of lilies. 
• IV American Hybrids-There are many choices in this group of lilies. The plants are more significant, as are the flowers. 
• V Longiforum hybrids-This is the cultivated form of this species. These are more important as cut flowers than for growing in home gardens. Easter lilies belong to this group.  
• VI Trumpet and Aurelian Hybrids- Tall plants that need full sun. Some might need staking. Hybrids of many Asiatic species and their interspecific hybrids belong to this group. The flowers face downward and are shaped like a trumpet. The flowers have solid fragrances and are mostly night-fragrant. The group includes oriental trumpet hybrid lily varieties or oriental lilies. 
• VII Oriental Hybrids- This group comprises hybrids of Liliums and crossbreeds of several species native to Japan. The plants are tall, and the flowers are large and fragrant. Sometimes these are called ‘stargazers’ as the blooms look outward and upward. 
• VIII – Interdivisional Hybrids- Wide variety of cultivars to choose from. 
• IX – All Species – All natural species of true lilies. 

Propagating Red Lilies 

Propagating from bulbs

Propagating different types of red lilies is an art that is easy to master. The easiest method of propagation is by planting bulbs. Genuine lily bulbs consist of layered scales that hug each other to form the bulb. The plant’s stalk is at the bulb’s center, with the roots growing out of the disk-like base at the bottom. These features are like a garlic bulb. 

The bulbs are usually kept till the beginning of spring to be planted after the period of dormancy through the winter months. Plant the bulbs where they will receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight a day. The other important factor is the soil. It must not retain excess water as this will lead to the bulbs rotting. 

The lily bulbs are placed 4-6 inches deep in the well-draining soil and watered frequently. Lilies can grow tall and straight and must be anchored solidly because the plants grow to be anywhere from 4-8 feet tall, depending on the variety. 

The root disk is placed facing down. Once the bulbs are in, you can cover the top with an inch of mulch or shredded leaves. 

Propagating from seeds

This is not for the faint-hearted or an impatient gardener. A long time is required for the bulbs to develop and, afterward, for blooms to appear. It can take three to five years for the plants to bloom. 

Seeds are sown in a flat tray or pot containing about half an inch of sterile potting soil. The soil texture has to be okay. They need 14-16 hours of light a day. When the seeds turn to bulblets about the size of a cherry and show signs of a root system, you can transplant them outdoors. Once planted, flowers will still take more than two years to appear.  

A Care Guide for Red Lilies

Red lily plants are easy to maintain once they are established. There are a few fundamental rules to keep your garden looking vibrant with red flowering lilies. 

1. The soil -Lilies will grow well if the earth has enough organic matter that is humus rich. The ground should have proper drainage while having the ability to keep sufficient moisture. The flower beds can be covered with mulch to lock in moisture. 
2. Watering –Keeping the soil in a moist state is always desirable as opposed to dry ground. A combination of constant watering and avoiding too much water retention is crucial to the plant.  
3. Sunlight –Most lilies like Bright sunlight throughout the day. Some lilies prefer partial shade. Upright stems should be maintained; for this, direct sunlight is essential. The plant tends to slant toward the closest light source if there is not enough sunlight. 
4. Fertilizing –Although lilies do not need to be fertilized, it can be done to supplement the soil if it lacks nutrients. It is added during the growing season. 
5. Dormant phase –The winter months are the dormant period for red lilies. The stems can be trimmed off once they are hollow and turns brown. 
6. Planting in pots –Pots or containers can plant lily bulbs following the guidelines above. They will do well with sufficient sunlight, proper drainage, and soil rich in organic matter. 
7. Replanting –After the lily plant has flowered for a few seasons, it may seem to slow down. Then, it is time to replant or change the container. The bulbs can be lifted from the soil and divided into smaller units. This will ensure new growth and more vigorous plants. 
8. Pests –Lily beetles are the one pest that can harm these plants. A spray (commercially available) can be used to prevent damage from beetles.

Red Lilies come in almost all types, shapes, shades of red, and sizes and never fail to brighten your garden or vase. These are highly valued as cut flowers because they add glamor and luxury to any arrangement or bouquet. Their ability to stand long in vases and arrangements makes them an excellent choice for cut flowers. I have listed a few of my favorite red lilies that you can quickly obtain from your nearest plant nursery. 

Some of the best types of red lilies with rich red blooms are:

• Lilium Sumatra – This stunning oriental hybrid lily is a star-shaped, elegant, deep reddish-burgundy-colored majestic flower with white margins. The striking blooms face outward and have lime-green anthers with rust-colored heads. The plant does well in USDA hardiness zones 3-8.  This beautiful lily makes a perfect cut flower due to its sustained vase life. They grow to a height of 4 feet and will continue to be the center of attraction in your garden for many years. It is easy to develop and a joy to behold. 

• Blacklist Asiatic Lily – Your garden setting will be dramatically changed when this lily blooms. This perennial, with the common name blacklist, has an abundance of bright green foliage and is the perfect backdrop for its rich blood-red and dark burgundy petals with vivid orange anthers. Planting them with other lilies with orange or mustard-colored blooms can transform your garden into a prizewinning patch. These are sought-after cut flowers as they add a touch of solid color that helps to bring out the best in other flowers.   

• Lilium Monte Negro – This plant has striking large blooms that measure around 8 inches in diameter. ‘Monte negro’ is an Asiatic hybrid lily displaying a dark red. Although the flower is large, the plant is small at 3 feet, with about ten flowers per stem. 

• Lilium Scheherazade – This trumpet lily hybrid has a great look on its flowers that face upwards. The color palette of the petals is extraordinary. The colors range from deep red to burgundy, magenta to purple. Golden and white edges help to highlight the darker red hues of the petals. The beautiful flowers are relatively large at 10 inches in diameter. The plant can grow to a height of around 7 feet and puts out about 40 flowers per stem. The blooming season fills the air with its delightful, highly fragrant and delightful scent. 

• Claude Shride – Claude Shride is a red Martagon hybrid lily cultivar that blooms profusely. These Martagon lilies bloom in the Turk’s cap-shaped pendant-style flowers. Each stem in this 6-foot plant can carry up to 50 flowers. The flowers are 3 inches wide and give a sweet, heady fragrance. The plant is hardy and quickly grows in USDA zones 3-9. The blood-red petals have dark orange rims and freckling. The plant prefers the shade and keeps on blooming year after year. 

• Canada Lily or Lilium Canaden – This is a perennial lily variety native to North America. This lily has many shades, and the red ones are unmistakable with their reddish-purple dark spots. This classic lily is valued not only for its appearance but also for its medicinal qualities. These thrive in woodland settings and meadows. Both deer and rabbits favor the plant. It has been used to combat respiratory problems by indigenous tribes. 

• Red Highland Lily – If you care for red-colored lilies, then the Red Highland is the lily for you. It is an Asiatic lily sporting a fiery red color. The 7-inch blooms have darker red throats and are stunning, with about 8-10 flowers per stem. This low-maintenance lily creates a distinct look in mass plantings usually used to highlight the back border of the garden. The plant does well in partial shade and is handy as a cut flower.

• Red Velvet Lily – The Red Velvet lily was formerly known as Red Flavor. It is a Tiger lily with black spots on the scarlet red petals. The blooms are large and bell-shaped, and the petals recurve to touch the base of the flower. The petals have a silky sheen, which is rare even in lilies. The plants of this lily have long blooming periods. The plant grows to a height of around 4 feet. This eye-catching lily is ideal for medium-height borders and can be combined with other lighter-colored lilies for a more pronounced effect.

•  Black Out Lily – The Black Out is another Asiatic lily perennial that does well in USDA hardiness zones 4-8. The flowers are bowl-shaped and collect at the center to a darker red that is almost black. These flowers stand out from their bright green leaves and green buds. Black Out is not a scented lily and can be paired well with other highly aromatic plants without a problem in the garden or a vase. 

• Lilium Gran Paradiso  – This Asiatic perennial is entirely tomato red with a tinge of orange around the edges of the petals. The flower is about 4-5 inches wide and grows profusely on the stems. The uniform color and its lack of scent can be helpful when paired with other cut flowers. This lily proliferates in USDA hardiness zones 3-8 and will keep blooming for years to come.

• Lilium Red Carpet – Red Carpet is true to its name and will give you a blanket of deep red blooms on a carpet of green foliage. This is a dwarf lily with a maximum height of about one foot. The flower is approximately 5 inches wide. The plant does well in partly shady areas of the garden. This hardy perennial is suitable for USDA zones 3-8. The lilies are often grown along walkways to add color.

• Red County – This is a perennial Asiatic lily that is easy to grow. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3-8. The plant is 2-4 feet in height. The star-shaped blooms are a deep red color. The petals have orange margins that blend into the red color. The red centers of the flower are a shade or two darker, with a handful of red freckles that goes with the red anthers. The red blossoms face upwards on sturdy stems from the dark green foliage. There is no noticeable scent attached to this flower. The plant spreads quickly and will keep blooming for many years.

Red lilies are one of the most rewarding sights in your garden. Once planted, lilies are easy to maintain. The bright red colors uplift the garden’s mood while making a statement and bringing out the best in other blooms they are paired with. 

Red lilies are equally comfortable in the background or the foreground or strategically placed in a corner. Most red lily varieties are easy to propagate and will bloom for many years with minimal maintenance.