“I hate lilies because of that strong smell” – Beating the Myth

When someone is placing an order here at our shop, it makes us so sad to hear the words “please don’t use any of those smelly lilies”. The fact is not all lilies smell. There are many lilies that have no smell at all. Allow us to educate you on this common myth.

The first type of lily we will discuss is an Oriental lily. These lilies are known to be the smelly ones. They have large blooms, often more than 3 blooms per stem, and can last weeks if treated properly. The most common type of Oriental lilies are called “Stargazers” and are mainly hot pink with a white edge around the petals. There are many different varieties of Oriental lilies and are available in many different colors, but you commonly see them in various shades of pink.

The second type of lily is called an Asiatic lily. These are the lilies that have no smell at all. An Asiatic lily typically will have fewer blooms than an Oriental lily, is smaller, and isn’t as long lasting. On average, Asiatic lilies may cost almost half as much as Oriental lilies. The most common type of Asiatic lily is orange, and is commonly mistaken for Day lilies or Tiger lilies. Day lilies are a garden variety of lily and are not sold as cut flowers, so you will not find Day lilies or Tiger lilies in a flower shop. Asiatic lilies are basically a cut flower version of Day lilies.

Now that you know the difference, don’t be afraid to ask your florist for Asiatic lilies if you are offended by the smell of Oriental lilies. Your florist will be impressed that you know the difference!