The word “lily” is a term broadly applied to many plants with large, showy blooms, leading to frequent confusion about what constitutes a true lily. Botanically, only plants belonging to the genus Lilium are considered genuine lilies, all of which grow from layered, scaly bulbs. These true lilies naturally occur in a wide spectrum of colors, and hybridization has produced many popular pink varieties. The widespread use of the common name “lily” for unrelated flowers means that many pink blooms found in gardens and florists are not Lilium at all, despite their common names. Understanding the specific botanical group is the first step in identifying a true pink lily versus a lookalike.
True Pink Lilies (Genus Lilium)
The most popular pink lilies available are hybrids, developed to maximize flower size, color saturation, and bloom time. These true lilies are generally grouped into three main categories, each offering distinct pink shades and characteristics.
Oriental Hybrids
Oriental Hybrids are known for their sweet fragrance and massive blooms, often measuring six to nine inches across. They typically bloom later in the summer and feature deep raspberry or magenta pinks. The ‘Stargazer’ cultivar is a well-known example that displays prominent speckles and white edges on its petals.
Asiatic Hybrids
Asiatic Hybrids are generally unscented and are the first group to flower, providing color in early summer. These lilies are shorter and produce smaller, typically upward-facing flowers, which makes them excellent for containers. Their pink coloration tends toward vibrant, clear tones, such as ‘Pink Pixie’ or ‘Brindisi’.
Orienpet Hybrids
Orienpet Hybrids (OT Hybrids) are crosses between Oriental and Trumpet lilies. They combine the large flower size and fragrance of Orientals with the trumpet shape and vigor of the Trumpet group. Orienpet lilies produce some of the largest pink blooms, with thick, waxy petals that face outward or upward on strong, tall stems in mid-to-late summer.
Common Pink Misnomers: Daylilies and Water Lilies
Two of the most common flowers that share the “lily” name but are botanically distinct are the daylily and the water lily.
Daylilies
Daylilies belong to the genus Hemerocallis. Their name is derived from the Greek words meaning “beauty” and “day,” referencing that each individual flower lasts no more than 24 hours. They are clump-forming perennial plants that grow from rhizomes, not true bulbs, and feature long, arching, grass-like foliage. Many popular daylily cultivars are pink, such as ‘Fairy Tale Pink’ and ‘Pretty in Pink’, which display large, ruffled trumpet shapes with contrasting throats.
Water Lilies
Water lilies, belonging to the genus Nymphaea, are aquatic plants entirely separate from the terrestrial Lilium family. They are characterized by their floating, circular pads and blooms that emerge from the water surface. Hardy pink varieties like ‘Pink Sensation’ and tropical pink species like Nymphaea pubescens are cultivated for ponds and water gardens.
Other Pink Flowers Mistaken for Lilies
Other garden flowers are frequently misidentified due to the general application of the term “lily.”
Calla Lilies
Calla Lilies (Zantedeschia) are native to southern Africa and belong to the Araceae family, not true lilies. Their distinctive flower structure is not a petal-based bloom but a colorful, flared leaf called a spathe, which surrounds a spike called the spadix. Pink Calla Lilies, such as Zantedeschia rehmannii, come in shades ranging from soft blush to deep rose-pink.
Crinum Lilies
Crinum Lilies (Crinum) are large, bulbous perennials. They are sometimes referred to as “Swamp Lilies” or “Cemetery Plants” due to their longevity and ability to thrive in warm, moist climates. Crinum produce clusters of large, trumpet-shaped or spidery flowers on thick stalks. Popular pink hybrids include ‘Ellen Bosanquet’ and ‘Cecil Houdyshel’. Their strap-like foliage provides a bold presence that differs from the slender leaves of true Lilium.