Cultivated since 3000 B.C. and named by the poet Virgil, the stately Madonna Lily is considered the oldest domesticated flower. Amassing quite a reputation throughout the centuries, it possesses supposed healing powers, is utilized as a perfume component, and since the second century has been mystically associated with the Virgin Mary.

Referring to the splendid, heavenly scented steeples, candidum is Latin for “dazzling white.” Ten to twenty open, funnel-shaped blooms with gilded anthers are held at right angles to the stems, illuminating whorled, dark green foliage that’s appealing in its own right. Rarely without greenery as overwintering basal leaves appear by early autumn, Lilium candidum’s bulbs should be shallowly positioned away from too much sun in fertile, well drained, calcium-rich sites.

Hosting other noble companions like Thalictrum ‘Elin’ and Actaea ‘Atropurpurea’, this time-honored Lily easily dignifies the landscape or an arrangement.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 10" – 15" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

With fragrant clusters of up to a dozen large, trumpet-shaped pure white flowers perched atop towering stems, this magnificent Lily’s strong profile delivers luminous late season blooms to the perennial border. After the blossoms are spent, the old stalks turn upward and look compelling in the winter garden or a dried bouquet. For a truly dynamic presentation, combine with Rheum, Salvia confertiflora and your favorite tall growing.

Blooms August

Size: 6' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Shouldered on surprisingly short stems, full-size, long white trumpet-styled flowers with reddish purple backsides exude a heavenly aroma. Often blooming the first year from seed, this alpine form populates the mountains of Taiwan, and will make a luminous, smaller scale statement in your rockery or more intimate garden space.

Blooms August–September.

Size: 10" – 12" high x 8" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Known as ‘Gakeshima-Yuri’ in its Korean and Japanese homelands, this obliging, seldom-offered Lily affords nearly flat-faced, thick, fleshy golden flowers with burnt orange and burgundy stipples. Sturdy straight stems wrapped in lanced-shaped, virus-resistant dark greenery support the exquisite sweetly scented blooms that beguile butterflies, hummingbirds and floral designers alike. A famed stylish partner for a multitude of Lilium martagon crosses dating back 80 years or so, easy-care Lilium hansonii favors mulch and damp, slightly acidic niches plus protection from late spring frosts.

Blooms June–July

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 8" – 10" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Hailing from the mountainous meadows in India’s Nada region via the German seed company Jelitto, this seed-grown offering is touted as the marquis of the genus for its simple elegance. Dark glistening buds and large draped deep rose flowers, fashioned with lovely flared petals, are gracefully poised above a diminutive stand of sturdy upright stalks and handsome, linear dark green leaves. Thrilled by cool, light shade and adequately moist, humus-rich soil, Manipur Lily will flourish under Amelanchier ‘Autumn Brilliant’, but sulks in hot dry environs.

Blooms June–July

Size: 2-1/4' – 3' 0" high x 12" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

Distributed across Europe to Mongolia, the original Turk’s Cap, Lilium martagon inhabits a broader range than any other Lily. This variety’s tapered, gleaming towers feature up to fifty waxy pendant flowers composed of strongly recurving pristine white petals. Anchored by whorled, lustrous deep green foliage, the heavily scented blooms look absolutely sublime when planted amid Stipa gigantea.

Blooms June–July

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 10" – 15" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Donning an exotic turban-like appearance, nodding dark spotted, rosy-violet flowers with thick curved back petals and pronounced yellow stamens embellish tall, straight slender stems. The comely blooms, which hummingbirds adore and everyone likes to cut, reside above tiers of whorled dark green leaves. This stellar, undemanding European denizen enjoys enriched well-drained sites in a sunny border, garden bed or patio container. 

Blooms June–July

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 10" – 15" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Gracing countless gardens since 1946, this beloved classic martagon cultivar has survived the test of time with its splendid, reliable turk-caps and long-lived winsome habit. The pendulous glowing flowers unfurl from pink-tinged buds and present a study in sunset-rich colors, which include recurved vibrant yellow petals, deep red freckles, orangey-pink daubs and salmon-infused backsides. Appreciative of dappled light, good drainage and well-cultivated humusy alcoves, the cold-hardy tiers of whorled dark green leaves can be massed and surrounded by woodland companions such as Geranium ‘Bevan’s Variety’ and Porteranthus trifoliatus.

Blooms June–July

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 8" – 10" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Native to the Himalayas, from northern India to Nepal and Bhutan, this highly prized exotic lily fashions a peerless, bicolored pageantry of large funnel-like greenish yellow blooms with recurved petals and boldly etched reddish purple throats. As many as eight, gorgeous downward facing flowers crest each medium-sized stem that’s clad in dark green lance-shaped leaves. Once established, the Lily of Nepal will spread by underground stolons, relishing dappled shade and cool humus-rich soil.

Blooms July–August

Size: 2' 0" – 3' 0" high x 12" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

More than a hundred years ago, the revered plant collector, E. H. Wilson happened upon droves of this aptly named Chinense native of western Szechwan, and was instantly smitten by its sheer beauty and “delicious perfume”.

White trumpet-shaped flowers showcase canary yellow throats, golden anthers and flipsides flushed with a deep mauve. The 5 in. wide and 6 in. long blossoms, numbering as many as 20 per stem, surmount gray-green stalks and lustrous spaced leaves.

The unrivaled Regal Lily has it all—it’s one of the first fragrant lilies to bloom and among the most heavenly scented, is vigorous, yet poised and is easy to grow.

Blooms July – August.

Size: 3' 0" – 5' 0" high x 12" – 15" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.