Red Lily Varieties: 17 Spectacular Options For Your Flowerbeds
Discover 17 breathtaking red lily varieties, their unique features, and expert tips for adding bold color and elegance to your garden beds.
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17 Types of Red Lily Varieties For Your Flowerbeds
If youâre yearning to add a splash of passion, drama, or romance to your garden, red lilies are an unmatched choice. From bright crimson to deep maroon, these striking blooms bring bold color, allure, and elegance to any landscape. This comprehensive guide introduces 17 exceptional red lily varieties, each with its own unique charm. Read on to find the perfect red lily for your flowerbedsâand learn how to make these showstoppers thrive!
Why Choose Red Lilies?
Red in nature evokes excitement, love, and vibrancy. In the garden, red lilies draw the eye, create dramatic focal points, and pair beautifully with a range of floral companions. Known for their long vase life, bold hues, and diverse fragrances, red lilies are favorites among florists and gardeners alike.
Understanding Red Lily Types
Red lilies come in several main groups, each with its own growth habit, bloom shape, and fragrance profile:
- Asiatic Lilies: Early bloomers; usually unscented; wide range of intense colors.
- Oriental Lilies: Later bloomers; large, often fragrant flowers; excellent for cutting.
- Trumpet/Aurelian Lilies: Large, trumpet-shaped flowers; strong fragrance.
- Species Lilies: Wild types and their close hybrids; varied forms and growth habits.
17 Spectacular Red Lily Varieties
Below youâll find 17 red lily varieties, organized by notable characteristics, botanical names, and essential growing information.
1. Red County (Asiatic)
| Botanical Name | Lilium (Asiatic) âRed Countyâ |
|---|---|
| Type | Bulb, Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun to part shade |
| Height | 2-4 feet |
| Zones | 3-8 |
Deep, rich red petals with hints of burnt orange at the margins. Upward-facing blooms with dark freckles and anthers atop sturdy, whorled foliage. Minimal fragrance, spreads easily, and returns faithfully for years.
2. Red Velvet (Asiatic)
| Botanical Name | Lilium asiaticum âRed Velvetâ |
|---|---|
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun, part shade |
| Height | 16â20 inches |
| Zones | 3-9 |
Downward-drooping, silky blooms in a classic red shade. Dark, recurved bases and brown freckling at the core. Each season brings even more abundant, wider flowers against vibrant green, upward-reaching foliage.
3. Matrix (Asiatic)
| Botanical Name | Lilium asiaticum âMatrixâ |
|---|---|
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun to part shade |
| Height | 16-18 inches |
| Zones | 3-8 |
Petite, vibrant red flowers with deep orange undertones, growing in tight clusters. Matrix lilies have a compact, bushy habit ideal for borders and containers.
4. Landini (Asiatic)
| Botanical Name | Lilium asiaticum âLandiniâ |
|---|---|
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun to part shade |
| Height | 3-4 feet |
| Zones | 4-9 |
One of the darkest Asiatic lilies, with rich maroon-to-burgundy petals and minimal freckling. These flowers add gothic drama to garden beds and mixed bouquets.
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5. Black Out (Asiatic)
| Botanical Name | Lilium asiaticum âBlack Outâ |
|---|---|
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Height | 3-4 feet |
| Zones | 3-9 |
Striking, nearly black centers blending to deep red petal tips. A show-stopping lily thatâs perfect for bold, modern garden designs.
6. Gran Paradiso (Asiatic)
| Botanical Name | Lilium asiaticum âGran Paradisoâ |
|---|---|
| Type | Bulb, Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun to part shade |
| Height | 3-4 feet |
| Zones | 3-8 |
Classic, fire-red petals with orange undertones and subtle spots. Vigorous, tall plants produce clusters of blooms excellent for cutting gardens.
7. Asiatic Dutch Red
| Botanical Name | Lilium asiaticum âDutch Redâ |
|---|---|
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Height | Up to 40 inches |
| Zones | 3-9 |
Vivid red blooms with a touch of orange, upright habit, and minimal fragrance. Great choice for impactful, summer color in borders and beds.
8. Black Beauty (Oriental-Trumpet Hybrid)
| Botanical Name | Lilium âBlack Beautyâ |
|---|---|
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun to part shade |
| Height | 3-7 feet |
| Zones | 4-9 |
Large, recurved petals in a deep red, almost maroon, with green star-like centers and white margins. Noted for its heavy fragrance and impressive height.
9. Monte Negro (Asiatic)
| Botanical Name | Lilium asiaticum âMonte Negroâ |
|---|---|
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Height | 3-4 feet |
| Zones | 3-8 |
Intense, radiant red color with a subtle sheen. This variety blooms profusely, creating a striking visual display.
10. Navona (Asiatic)
| Botanical Name | Lilium asiaticum âNavonaâ |
|---|---|
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Height | Up to 36 inches |
| Zones | 4-9 |
Although often available in white, some Navona lilies come in deep red forms, prized for their classic star-shaped blooms.
11. Freedom (Asiatic)
| Botanical Name | Lilium asiaticum âFreedomâ |
|---|---|
| Type | Bulb, Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Height | Up to 36 inches |
| Zones | 3-8 |
Brilliant scarlet blooms, upward-facing and lightly freckled. An excellent cut flower and garden centerpiece.
12. Forza Red (Longiflorum-Asiatic Hybrid)
| Botanical Name | Lilium âForza Redâ |
|---|---|
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun, part shade |
| Height | 3-5 feet |
| Zones | 4-8 |
“Forza” means power in Italianâand this hybrid lives up to its name. Massive, glowing maroon flowers with unbroken color, presented in impressive clusters. Slightly fragrant and excellent for mid- to late-summer drama.
13. Forever Susan (Asiatic)
| Botanical Name | Lilium asiaticum âForever Susanâ |
|---|---|
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Height | Up to 40 inches |
| Zones | 3-8 |
Unforgettable bicolor blooms: deep burgundy-red petals with vibrant orange tips. Compact, hardy, and ideal for beds or containers.
14. Nettyâs Pride (Asiatic)
| Botanical Name | Lilium asiaticum âNettyâs Prideâ |
|---|---|
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun to part shade |
| Height | 2-3 feet |
| Zones | 3-8 |
Distinctive, star-shaped bloomsâdark maroon centers with white margins. Striking in both garden beds and floral arrangements.
15. Tinilco (Asiatic)
| Botanical Name | Lilium asiaticum âTinilcoâ |
|---|---|
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Height | Up to 36 inches |
| Zones | 3-8 |
Petite, bright cherry-red blooms. Compact growth, perfect for front borders or container displays.
16. Stargazer (Oriental Hybrid)
| Botanical Name | Lilium oriental âStargazerâ |
|---|---|
| Type | Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun to part shade |
| Height | 2-3 feet |
| Zones | 4-9 |
Possibly the most famous lily, Stargazer dazzles with bright red-to-pink petals speckled with white and a powerful fragrance. A must for fragrance lovers.
17. Panther (American Species Hybrid)
| Botanical Name | Lilium pardalinum âPanther Lilyâ |
|---|---|
| Type | Species/Hybrid |
| Sun | Full sun to part shade |
| Height | Up to 7 feet |
| Zones | 5-9 |
Unique, nodding blooms in shades of orange, yellow, and redâoften spotted with brown. Tall stems and prolific blooms make this an eye-catching, naturalistic choice.
Caring for Red Lilies: Planting and Maintenance Tips
- Planting: Choose a well-drained site with full sun or partial afternoon shade. Lilies prefer acidic to neutral soil.
- Depth: Plant bulbs 4â6 inches deep, spacing them 8â12 inches apart.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, especially during growth and bloom.
- Support: Tall varieties may require staking, especially in windy areas.
- Mulch: Apply mulch to keep roots cool and suppress weeds.
- Deadhead: Remove spent blooms to encourage further flowering and prevent seed formation.
- After Bloom: Allow foliage to die back naturally to feed next yearâs bloom.
Red Lily Pairing and Design Ideas
Red lilies look spectacular when combined with:
- White or yellow lilies for a classic contrast
- Purple or blue perennials for a sophisticated palette
- Grasses and ferns for a naturalized, woodland effect
- Gray or silver-leafed plants such as lambâs ear or artemisia
Common Questions About Red Lilies
Q: Are red lilies fragrant?
A: Many red Asiatic lilies have minimal to no fragrance, while red Oriental and Trumpet lilies tend to be sweetly scented. Always check the variety description.
Q: Are lilies easy to grow?
A: Yes, most lilies are easy to grow with the right soil and light. They require minimal care once established and will return and multiply for years.
Q: Will red lilies rebloom each year?
A: As long as the bulbs are planted in well-draining soil and the foliage is allowed to die back naturally, most red lily varieties will rebloom annually.
Q: Are lilies toxic to pets?
A: Yes, all parts of lilies are highly toxic to cats and can be harmful to dogs if ingested. Always plant lilies out of reach of pets or choose pet-safe alternatives.
Q: Can red lilies be grown in containers?
A: Absolutely. Most compact Asiatic lilies thrive in containers as long as they receive adequate sun and well-drained potting mix.
Conclusion
Red lilies are more than just flowersâtheyâre garden icons, celebrated for their beauty, versatility, and emotional impact. Whether you opt for the nearly-black drama of âBlack Out,â the bicolor flair of âForever Susan,â or the classic lines of âStargazer,â thereâs a red lily to elevate every garden design. With basic care and thoughtful placement, these bold bloomers will return year after year, rewarding you with unforgettable displays of passion and color.
References
Discover Stunning Red Lily Varieties
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