A favourite perfumed plant are the fragrant lilies, however if you are looking for a Lily that has fragrance then you may need to do a little research before you buy. It comes a a bit of a shock when you buy Liliums and find that they are not fragrant, well not all are.
We look at which types are fragrants and which have the most fragrance of all.
Fragrant lilies are popular in both the garden and as cut flowers. However not all lilies are fragrant and some are more so than others.
Lilies are also fragrant at different times, and the intensity of the perfume also varies. Most lilies will have strongest fragrance 24 hours after first opening, usually in the evening and more fragrant on a warm evening.
Fragrant lilies are widely sought after for the garden where the perfume wafts around on a still day, and when planted in the right position can add a pleasant perfume to the evening air.
A note of caution. Some people are allergic to the fragrance of lilies. In some hospitals all lilies are banned for allergy reasons. It is the pollen on the stamens that cause symptoms similar to hay fever. Asthma, Itchy Eyes and a runny nose can also be triggered.
Most Fragrant Lilies
- Trumpet Lilies the heaviest fragrance, a strong perfume that is sometimes a little overwhelming indoors.
- Oriental Hybrids are probably the next most fragrant of all lilies. Oriental hybrids have a spicy perfume or ‘fragrance’ similar to carnations.
- Species Liliums vary in fragrance, Lilium auratum is generally fragrant as is the ‘Turks Cap’ Lilium cernuum. Lilium nepalense is lightly scented.
Not so Fragrant Lilies
In general Asiatic Lilies are the least fragrant of all, many with no discernible perfume at all.
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