What Is the Difference Between Lilies and Oriental Lilies?

The Oriental lily is one of the most magnificent flowers you can choose as a gift or to keep in your home or garden. At first glance, the beautiful appearance of this flower looks exactly like a lily, which is why many people assume that lilies and Oriental lilies are two different names for the same flower. In fact, Oriental lilies are one of the varieties of lilies and are highly popular among flower lovers. So, if you are not exactly sure what the difference between lilies and Oriental lilies is, what characteristics each one has, and which famous Oriental lily varieties are available, stay with us.

Introducing the Lily

Before examining the differences between lilies and Oriental lilies, we should first get to know each of these flowers. The lily is one of the oldest and most popular flowers in the world, with more than 100 natural species and thousands of hybrid varieties. Lilies have relatively large, trumpet-shaped flowers. They are available in a variety of beautiful and vibrant colors, and depending on your needs and purpose, you can choose one of their varieties.

Lilies symbolize purity, renewal, pure love, and resurrection. In some communities, white lilies are used in funeral flower arrangements. In European countries, this flower symbolizes purity and innocence and is used in bridal bouquets. This flower is usually reasonably priced and has little to no fragrance. Most of the time, when we talk about lilies, we mean Asiatic lilies and the classic varieties of this flower, which account for 80 percent of the lilies available in the Iranian market.

Introducing the Oriental Lily

The Oriental lily is one member of the very large lily family. This variety was developed by crossing wild species from East Asia and was seriously developed by Japanese, American, and Dutch growers beginning in the 1950s. Therefore, you should know that the Oriental lily is a subgroup of the lily family and has all the main characteristics of this large group.

Very large flowers, an exceptionally strong and sweet fragrance, and later blooming compared with classic lilies, usually in late summer, are all among the main characteristics of Oriental lilies. This variety is a very luxurious flower that is used in bouquets for brides, five-star hotel arrangements, and special decorations. The Oriental lily symbolizes passionate love, femininity, and luxury. Now that we have briefly introduced each of these flowers, we will take a closer look at the differences between lilies and Oriental lilies.

Comparing Lilies and Oriental Lilies: Similarities and Differences

The most important differences between lilies and Oriental lilies include the following:

Flower Size and Shape

The first difference between lilies and Oriental lilies is the shape and size of their flowers. Each lily flower is between 10 and 16 centimeters in size, while Oriental lilies can have flowers as large as 15 to 30 centimeters. Flower shape is another difference between these two varieties. Lily flowers are cup-shaped or flat and face upward, and their stamens release a large amount of pollen, which can cause stains.

Oriental lily flowers are usually slightly drooping, with wavy petal edges. Newer varieties of this flower produce much less pollen, and some varieties are pollen-free.

Leaf Appearance

Lily leaves are narrow and matte, whereas Oriental lilies have broad, glossy leaves. This difference between lilies and Oriental lilies becomes especially easy to notice when you have two flowers from each variety in front of you.

Flower Fragrance

Fragrance and scent intensity are another difference between lilies and Oriental lilies. Lily flowers are scentless or have a very weak fragrance. In contrast, the very strong and sweet fragrance of Oriental lilies is one of the main characteristics of this variety.

Dominant Colors of Each Variety

Lilies are available in many colors, ranging from yellow and orange to red and multicolored varieties. Oriental lilies, however, are available only in white, pink, deep red, and pink-and-white combinations.

Blooming Season

Lilies are spring and early-summer flowers. They bloom in June and July. Oriental lilies, however, bloom in late summer, particularly in August and September.

Plant Height

If you plan to plant either of these two plants, you should know that lily plants range from 40 to 150 centimeters in height. Oriental lily plants are taller and can reach up to 220 centimeters.

Vase Life

Cut lilies last for 7 to 10 days. Cut Oriental lilies can last between 12 and 18 days.

Flower Price

The price of lilies is reasonable and affordable. Oriental lilies, however, are considered luxury flowers, and their price is usually several times higher than that of ordinary lilies. Therefore, if you are planning to buy a very large bouquet of lilies, it is better to choose classic lilies.

Uses

The main uses of lilies include planting them in gardens, flowerpots, or using them to create various practical bouquets. Oriental lilies are used for more special purposes, such as luxury bouquets, wedding decorations, luxury hotels, and, of course, perfume making. Buying an Oriental flower box is another important use of Oriental lilies for special events.

Three Famous Oriental Lily Varieties

Now you know that the Oriental lily is one of the luxurious varieties of the lily family. Therefore, all Oriental lilies are lilies, but not all lilies can be called Oriental lilies. Oriental lilies also have a variety of hybrid cultivars, three famous varieties of which include the following:

Oriental Stargazer – Stargazer

The most famous, popular, and widely available Oriental lily variety in Iran and around the world is the Stargazer. This variety was introduced in 1974 and has attracted many fans ever since. The Oriental Stargazer is pink-red with white edges and deep pink spots.

It has a very elegant and luxurious appearance and measures between 15 and 20 centimeters. Its very strong and pleasant fragrance is another important characteristic of this variety. In Iran, this flower is known as the red lily or pink Oriental lily, and you can often find it in luxurious and elegant flower boxes.

Oriental Casablanca – Casablanca

The Oriental Casablanca variety was introduced to the world in the early 1990s. Its color is pure, glossy white, with no spots, veins, or other patterns on the petals. This pure whiteness has made this variety one of the most distinctive and luxurious Oriental lilies. Its fragrance is extremely strong and very sweet, and among all Oriental lily varieties, it has one of the strongest scents. This flower is fragrant at night, and its scent can fill the entire home after dark.

The Casablanca variety measures between 20 and 28 centimeters in diameter and is one of the largest lily flowers. Luxury and opulence are among the symbols of the Oriental Casablanca, which is why this variety is used in many luxurious and grand weddings around the world. In Iran, this flower is known as the Dutch white lily and is used for luxurious and elaborate arrangements in halls and hotels.

Oriental Mona Lisa –Mona Lisa

One of the most beautiful Oriental lily varieties is the Mona Lisa lily. This flower was introduced to the market in the late 1990s and is one of the popular, beautiful, luxurious, and best-selling Oriental lily varieties in Iran and around the world. The flower is soft pink, with white edges and cream-colored veins on the petals. The flowers measure approximately 16 to 22 centimeters and face upward, with a slightly cup-shaped form and wavy petals. The Oriental Mona Lisa has a strong and sweet fragrance, and its cut stems have a vase life of 14 to 18 days. Each stem can have up to 12 flowers, making it an economical choice considering the large number of flowers on each stem.

Now, if you have recently received a bouquet of Oriental lilies as a gift, join us in the next section, where we will explain how to care for it.

How to Care for Oriental Lilies

If you have received or purchased cut Oriental lilies, follow the instructions below:

How to Care for Cut Oriental Lilies

When purchasing, choose a stem with at least one or two open flowers and 3 to 4 firm, green buds. These stems are fresh and can remain healthy for up to 20 days under ideal conditions. Other important care tips for this flower include the following:

If you have received this flower as a gift, immediately use a sharp knife or pruning shears to make a diagonal cut of 3 to 5 centimeters from the bottom of the stem.
Remove all the lower leaves that will be submerged in water. This prevents your plant from rotting and also helps prevent bacterial growth.
Before placing the flower stems in water, hold the stem under running water for 10 to 15 seconds to remove the flower's bacteria-containing white sap.
Fill a glass or ceramic vase with lukewarm water at approximately 30 to 35 degrees Celsius. Add one teaspoon of sugar, a few drops of household bleach, or lemon juice to the water. These ingredients help extend the life of the flowers.
Place the vase away from direct sunlight, fruit, household heating sources, and direct air from an air conditioner. The ideal temperature for extending the life of Oriental lilies is 18 to 22 degrees Celsius.
Change the vase water every 48 hours. Trim the stems and add sugar and the other recommended ingredients to the water.
As soon as the flowers open, remove or shorten the stamens inside the flowers. The pollen can stain clothing, walls, and belongings. It can shorten the flower's lifespan and may also cause allergies.
The fragrance of Oriental lilies is particularly strong at night. If the intense scent bothers you, move the vase to a staircase, balcony, or cool yard at night.
To extend the life of the flowers, use professional flower food.

These care tips also apply to different types of lilies.

How to Care for an Oriental Lily Plant

If you plan to plant and care for an Oriental lily plant, the following tips will help you take care of it:

Buy the flower bulbs in autumn, from October through the end of December. Bulbs in sizes 16 to 20 provide the best results.
This plant needs full morning sunlight. Therefore, keep this point in mind when planting it in a garden or flower bed. Insufficient light weakens the stem and reduces flowering.
The potting or garden soil should consist of leaf mold, 50 percent peat moss or coco peat, and 20 percent perlite.
Plant the bulb at a depth of 15 to 20 centimeters. Leave 25 to 30 centimeters of space between each bulb.
Before flowering, the soil should remain consistently moist. Water the plant every 3 to 4 days. After flowering, reduce watering to prevent the bulb from rotting.
To encourage growth and flowering, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer from April through July. A flowering fertilizer such as 10-10-30 is also suitable for this plant.
For growing this plant in a pot, both the depth and diameter of the pot should be at least 30 centimeters. A pot of this size is suitable for planting three bulbs. Excellent drainage is the most important factor for ideal flowering.

Lilies and Oriental Lilies: Luxurious Flowers with Many Similarities and Numerous Differences

Now, if you are planning to order flowers online or have been drawn to lilies at a flower market, you now know the differences between lilies and Oriental lilies very well. Oriental lilies have a very strong fragrance, larger flowers, and are an excellent choice for luxurious and lavish bouquets. At TiTiGift, you can find a variety of Oriental lilies and classic lilies in different colors. All you need to do is choose the flower you want. Complete your order and leave the rest to us, so that we can deliver the best Oriental lily or classic lily, with the highest possible quality, to you or your loved ones in the shortest possible time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an Oriental lily the same as a lily?

The Oriental lily is one of the subgroups of the lily family and one of the members of this large flowering family. Therefore, all Oriental lilies are lilies, but classic lilies and Oriental lilies have many differences.

What is the difference between Oriental lilies and lilies?

Lilies usually have no fragrance or have a very weak scent. Their petals face upward, and their flowers measure between 10 and 16 centimeters. Oriental lilies have a very strong and sweet fragrance. Their petals are relatively drooping, their edges are wavy and slightly more pointed, and their flowers are larger, measuring between 15 and 30 centimeters.

What are the three famous Oriental lily varieties?

Oriental Stargazer, Oriental Casablanca, and Oriental Mona Lisa are three famous and popular Oriental lily varieties in Iran.