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          12 Different Types of Purple Lily Cultivars For Your Flowerbeds

          Are you looking for some purple lilies to add to your flowerbeds this season? Lilies can bloom in many different shades of purple, from light lavender, to deep purple hues. In this article, certified master gardener Liz Jaros looks at some of her favorite purple lilies you can grow in your garden.

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          Written by Last updated: October 19, 2023 | 5 min read

          purple lilies

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          Long associated with nobility and wealth but also a contemporary symbol of magic and pride, the color purple has a bold, complex personality. Not a singular color on the rainbow, purple is actually a combination of blue and red, which reside on opposite ends of the spectrum.

          In the garden, purple flowers typically belong to the lilac, lavender, pansy, catmint, or salvia families. It is not the color we think of when talking about lilies, but there are actually a fair number of purple varieties in the Lilium family.

          Varying in intensity from lilac to eggplant, most purple lilies are members of the Asiatic lily group or some kind of hybrid that starts with them. But there are a handful in other categories as well. And while few lilies feature blooms that we would consider solid purple, there are plenty that include the hue on bi- or tri-colored petals.

          To help you choose a few purple lily varieties to try at home, we’ve gathered the details on some of our favorites. Take a look at the unique characteristics and growing requirements of each flowering lily before heading to the garden center, and you’ll be off to a great start.

          ‘Cappuccino’

          Close-up of a blooming Asiatic 'Cappuccino Lily' in a garden against a blurred background. The flower is large, cup-shaped, has 6 petals of dark burgundy color with creamy white tips and base. Long greenish stamens with orange anthers protrude from the center of the flower.
          ‘Cappuccino Lily’ produces large, bicolor flowers with a strong, pleasant scent.
          botanical-name botanical name Lilium (Asiatic) ‘Cappuccino Lily’
          plant-type plant type Bulb, perennial
          sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to part shade
          height height 2-3 feet
          hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3-8

          Blossoms are up-facing on this mid-height Asiatic lily. Petals are a very dark maroon color at the base with creamy white tips and burgundy speckling. Flowers are a classic star shape and reach widths of up to 6 inches.

          Foliage is finely textured and looks at home in the middle of a mixed border. ‘Cappuccino’ has a strong, pleasant scent and takes well to being cut and brought inside.

          ‘Nodding Lily’

          Close-up of cernuum 'Nodding Lily' in bloom against a blurred pale green background. The flowers are small, drooping, with pale lilac petals that are bent upwards, resembling hats, with dark purple freckles and long prominent stamens with golden anthers.
          ‘Nodding Lily’ has drooping flowers with pale lilac, curl upward petals with freckles.
          botanical-name botanical name Lilium cernuum ‘Nodding Lily’
          plant-type plant type Bulb, perennial
          sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to part shade
          height height 1-2 feet
          hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3-7

          Like the name suggests, blossoms on this cultivar droop downward. Petals are pale lilac with orange freckles and curl upward like a hat. Anthers have rustic orange-purple heads and dangle from flower centers.

          Foliage is fine and sparse, occupying the lower half of most specimens. ‘Nodding lily’ has a strong fragrance and will tolerate some shade so it’s a good choice for woodland fringes and tree canopies.

          ‘Souvenir’

          Close-up of Oriental ‘Souvenir’ lilies in bloom. The flowers are large, cup-shaped, have large, oval, slightly wavy white petals with pale purple tips. Long, pale green stamens with reddish-orange anthers protrude from the centers of the flowers.
          ‘Souvenir’ has large flowers with white petals tipped with lavender.
          botanical-name botanical name Lilium (Oriental) ‘Souvenir’
          plant-type plant type Bulb, perennial
          sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to part shade
          height height 1-2 feet
          hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3-9

          Bowl-shaped blooms are extra large at up to 6 inches wide on this Oriental group lily. Petals have snow white bases that bleed into lavender at the tips. Throats are yellow and produce reddish-orange stamen.

          Souvenir’s relatively short stature makes it a good choice for container garden plantings or border fronts. Leaves are ovate and dark green, supporting blooms fully and beautifully.

          ‘Purple Prince’

          Close-up of Lilium (Oriental-Trumpet) 'Purple Prince' blooming in a summer garden against a green blurred background. The flowers are large, tubular, with oval grape-colored petals and yellow anthers with prominent stamens. The leaves are dark green, oval, covered with drops of dew.
          ‘Purple Prince’ produces massive, tubular, deep grape-colored flowers with yellow anthers.
          botanical-name botanical name Lilium (Oriental-Trumpet) ‘Purple Prince’
          plant-type plant type Bulb, perennial
          sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to part shade
          height height 4-6 feet
          hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3-9

          Upward facing blooms are massive at 8-inches wide on this Oriental-Trumpet hybrid lily. They are also plentiful, with each plant producing 20-30 at maturity. Flowers have grape petals and yellow anthers with prominent black stamen.

          At 4-6 feet tall, Purple Prince is one of the largest lily cultivars available and has a dramatic presence in the garden. Stems are thick and strong but should be staked if they will be exposed to high winds.

          ‘Netty’s Pride’

          Close-up of blooming Asiatic 'Netty's Pride' lilies against a blurred green background. The flowers are medium sized, cupped, with 5 oval petals with tapered ends and long green stamens protruding from the centers of the flowers. The petals are dark plum in color with white tips and centers.
          ‘Netty’s Pride’ is a gorgeous bicolor lily that has dark plum petals with white tips and centers.
          botanical-name botanical name Lilium (Asiatic) ‘Netty’s Pride’
          plant-type plant type Bulb, perennial
          sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to part shade
          height height 1-2 feet
          hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3-8

          This striking, bi-color lily has dark plum petals and freckles with white tips and centers. Chartreuse green anthers provide a lovely contrast and extend upward toward the sun. Leaves are fringy with a soft, touchable texture and radiate from all points along Netty’s stems.

          This cultivar has a strong personality and works well on its own or with more subtle garden companions. You can’t go wrong with selections from the cream and white families, as they will support but not detract from Netty’s dramatic blooms.

          ‘Purple Dream’

          Close-up of a Lilium Asiatic 'Purple Dream' flower against a blurred green background. The flower is large, open, cup-shaped, has dark burgundy-purple petals with abundant dark purple freckles closer to the center of the flower. Long, pinkish-purple stamens with golden anthers protrude from the center of the flower.
          ‘Purple Dream’ produces delightful purple flowers with dark purple freckles close to fuchsia that bloom in mid-summer.
          botanical-name botanical name Lilium (Asiatic) ‘Purple Dream’
          plant-type plant type Bulb, perennial
          sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to part shade
          height height 30-40 inches
          hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3-8

          Petals have a burgundy base and freckles with centers that move toward fuschia on this stunning lily from the Asiatic class. Blooms are single-form and star shaped, facing upward with orange-tipped anthers. You can expect somewhere between 5 and 9 flowers on each plant.

          Purple Dream blooms in mid to late summer on long stems whorled with classic, lance-shaped leaves. Prefers well-drained soil but will tolerate beds with a little more density.

          ‘Purple Marble’

          Close-up of a beautiful Asian lily ‘Purple Marble’ against a blurred leafy background. The flower is large, open, cupped, consists of oval oblong red-burgundy petals with burgundy specks. The petals have a silky sheel and curve upwards on the flowers. Long greenish stamens with dark orange anthers protrude from the center of the flower. The leaves are oval, dark green with parallel veins.
          ‘Purple Marble’ produces lovely burgundy flowers with a silky finish and a light pleasant fragrance.
          botanical-name botanical name Lilium (Asiatic) ‘Purple Marble’
          plant-type plant type Bulb, perennial
          sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to part shade
          height height 24-36 inches
          hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4-10

          Coloring is burgundy to red wine on this Asiatic charmer. Petals read mostly solid but some have subtle burgundy speckling. They have a silky finish and flex upward on down-facing flowers.

          Work Purple Marble into a mixed bed with bold yellows for a complementary color scheme, and don’t forget to set some aside for cutting. Fragrance is light and pleasant. This cultivar spreads easily by clump and will return faithfully for many years to come if properly cared for.

          ‘Purple Lady’

          ‘Purple Lady’ is a hybrid lily with impressive purple flowers with greenish-yellow centers.
          botanical-name botanical name Lilium (Oriental-Trumpet) ‘Purple Lady’
          plant-type plant type Bulb, perennial
          sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to part shade
          height height 6-8 feet
          hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3-9

          Mature specimens of this hybrid lily can reach heights of 8 feet! A spectacular sight in the back border or in a mass planting, Purple Lady features 8 inch flowers on thick, sturdy stems whorled with lance-shaped leaves.

          Petals are predominantly violet with fuschia highlights and freckling. Centers are starred with white and chartreuse for a lovely contrast. Purple Lady has a strong fragrance and a shrub-like profile in the garden.

          ‘Tiny Poems’

          Close-up of a blooming Asiatic 'Tiny Poems' lily in the garden against a blurred background of blooming lilies. The flower is large, cup-shaped, has large oval petals with deep eggplant-colored petals with pinkish tips. Pinkish long stamens with golden anthers protrude from the center of the flower.
          ‘Tiny Poems’ have large, deep eggplant-colored flowers with pink tips.
          botanical-name botanical name Lilium (Asiatic) ‘Tiny Poems’
          plant-type plant type Bulb, perennial
          sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to part shade
          height height 12-14 inches
          hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3-8

          This is a dwarf lily from the Asiatic family. Petals are such a deep eggplant shade that they appear black or dark brown in low light. Blooms are tipped with pink and roughly 4 inches wide.

          Bred for containers, this cultivar has a small stature and striking, spiky foliage. With a pleasant, light fragrance, it is also a good choice for border fronts.

          ‘Night Rider’

          Close-up of blooming Asiatic-Trumpet 'Night Rider' lilies in the garden against a blurred background of a green bush. The flowers are large, tubular, with deep maroon petals that are flexed backward. The petals have a beautiful satin sheen. Dark chocolate long stamens with anthers protrude from the centers of the flowers.
          ‘Night Rider’ is an incredibly beautiful hybrid lily that produces deep maroon, almost chocolate-colored flowers with a satin sheen.
          botanical-name botanical name Lilium (Asiatic-Trumpet) ‘Night Rider’
          plant-type plant type Bulb, perennial
          sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to part shade
          height height 2-3 feet
          hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3-8

          A dramatic addition to any landscape setting, this hybrid lily features 6-inch flowers in a shade of deep, dark burgundy that looks like chocolate at night. Petals have a satin sheen and flex backward on trumpet-shaped blooms that face upward. Anthers and stamen are also dark, adding to the effect.

          Plant Night Rider with orange or pink lily companions for a striking color scheme. Or keep things dark and gothic by working it into a moody mix of blacks and whites.

          ‘Dark Secret’

          Top view, close-up of many flowers of Asiatic 'Dark Secret' lilies. The flowers are large, cup-shaped, consist of dark plum oblong petals with red feathers. Long dark red stamens with golden anthers protrude from the centers of the flowers. Numerous green and red unopened buds among the blooming lilies.
          ‘Dark Secret’ blooms with delightful large flowers with dark plum petals with red feathers.
          botanical-name botanical name Lilium (Asiatic) ‘Dark Secret’
          plant-type plant type Bulb, perennial
          sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to part shade
          height height 3-4 feet
          hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3-10

          Petals are a deep, dark plum color with red feathering on this bold Asiatic lily. One of the first lilies to bloom in early summer, Dark Secret is less fragrant than many of its peers, which means it won’t overpower your senses in a mixed bed.

          Foliage is a bright green and ovate with a striped texture and lighter edging. Flower heads face up and have orange stamen. Plant with zinnia or marigold for a lovely summer color combo.

          ‘Tom Pouce’

          Close-up of a blooming Oriental 'Tom Pouce' lily against a white background. The flower is cup-shaped, has coarse, slightly wavy petals at the edges with outwardly curved tips. The petals are pale purple with pale yellow veins and yellow freckles.
          ‘Tom Pouce’ has pale purple flowers with yellow veins on the petals.
          botanical-name botanical name Lilium (Oriental) ‘Tom Pouce’
          plant-type plant type Bulb, perennial
          sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to part shade
          height height 2-3 feet
          hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4-9

          This lovely Oriental lily features 5-10 upward-facing blossoms on each sturdy stem. Flowers average widths of 8 inches and feature lavender purple petals with pale yellow midribs. Freckling can be yellow or rust colored to match its unique anther tips.

          Work this cultivar into the cutting garden and bring some inside. They last a long time in a vase and have a sweet, light scent. 

          Final Thoughts

          Whether tall and leggy or short and shrubby, purple lilies have a rich, bold presence in any garden setting. Cluster them in a container by the patio for a fragrant, colorful bouquet, or plant them in a large, formal mass for a landscape befitting a royal palace.

          After a few years of establishment, dig them up, break them apart, and plant their offshoots in another location. Or give some away to a friend or family member who will enjoy their purple goodness for many years to come and think of you whenever they bloom.

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