Exploring Lily Varieties: Understanding the Differences Between LA and OT Lilies
The scoop on LA and OT lilies:
Lilies are beloved flowers admired for their elegance and fragrance. Among the many varieties available, LA (Longiflorum-Asiatic) and OT (Oriental-Trumpet/longiflorum) lilies stand out for their distinct characteristics. They are also some of the most popular forms of lilies for cut flower cultivation by flower farmers. They are both hybrids of other lilies and their acronyms are not often explained in our industry.
Understanding the differences between these two types can help you make informed choices. Let's dig into their unique features:
1. Origin and Hybridization:
LA Lilies: LA lilies are hybrids resulting from crossing Asiatic and Longiflorum/Trumpet lilies. They inherit traits from both parent species.
OT Lilies: OT lilies, on the other hand, are hybrids of Oriental and Longiflorum /Trumpet lilies. This combination brings together the best qualities of both parent species.
Why one group uses the word “longiflorum” and the other uses “trumpet” in it’s name is beyond us. They are the same! Check out our previous post about the differences between Oriental, Asiatic, and Trumpet/Longiflorum lilies to learn the differences in these varieties from which the hybrids described here have been made.
2. Appearance:
LA Lilies: LA lilies typically have upward-facing blooms and narrow, lance-shaped leaves. Their flowers are often vibrant and come in a wide range of colors, including yellow, orange, red, pink, and white.
OT Lilies: OT lilies are known for their large, showy flowers that face outward or slightly downward. They often have broader leaves compared to LA lilies. OT lilies boast both rich, intense colors and softer hues like peach and butter yellow and may feature intricate patterns or spots on their petals.
In terms of color, both LA and OT come in many different colors. If you love bicolor flowers (like us!) you’ll be happy to know that you can also find 2-tone flowers in each category as well. OT bicolored varieties are more rare- they are larger and brighter and can exhibit exciting higher color contrasts: like bold magenta and yellow. Be sure to look at the differences in our online catalogue!
3. Fragrance:
LA Lilies: While some LA lilies may have a subtle fragrance, it's generally not as strong as that of OT lilies. Their scent tends to be light and sweet. If you have some customers who dislike the strong scent of lilies, they will likely be happy with these varieties.
OT Lilies: One of the defining characteristics of OT lilies is their fragrance. They emit a rich, captivating scent that can fill a room, making them popular choices for many people who are nostalgic for the scent.
4. Bloom Time:
LA Lilies: LA lilies are early bloomers, often flowering in late spring to early summer. Their blooms tend to last for several weeks, providing an extended period of beauty. If you are growing lilies in successions (like we do to ensure a long season of blooms) LA lilies can provide the fastest turn around time, with some varieties blooming in as little as 65 days. If you are in an area with short day lengths during the winter time and you’d like to grow lilies with natural light in a greenhouse, for example, we recommend the faster varieties. Their days to bloom will be longer under these conditions, so choosing faster lilies leads to better outcomes. If you are growing with artificial light in a grow room, you need not worry about day length concerns, since you’ll be able to provide as much light as you like to your developing flowers.
OT Lilies: OT lilies typically bloom later in the summer, usually from mid to late summer. While their flowering period may be shorter than that of LA lilies, their spectacular blooms make a striking statement in the garden. OT lilies are also great for forcing throughout the year. If you’d like to enjoy their larger flowers (which lend themselves to designs and bouquets that feel higher in value), be sure to add some OTs to your collection and plant them regularly.
5. Growing Conditions:
LA Lilies: LA lilies prefer well-drained soil and full to partial sun exposure. They are relatively easy to grow and adapt well to various climates, making them suitable for garden beds, borders, and containers.
OT Lilies: OT lilies thrive in fertile, organically rich soil with good drainage. They prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Adequate moisture is essential for their growth and blooming success.
All lilies like to be well-watered. The biggest mistake we see growers make is under watering. If you have a lily succession that develops with yellowing or withering lower leaves, that planting probably got too dry at some point along the way. Under watering can lead to bud abortion and bud drop. We water our successions in well at planting, allow them some time to root and send up a sprout and then follow up and check to make sure the soil stays moist during the main growing period. The larger the plants grow, the more water they will consume.
Lilies like to root for a period of a couple weeks around 50F-60F and grow between 65-75F in ideal conditions. They can also grow at cooler and warmer temps, but should not be exposed to frost or extreme heat above 95F. It’s not neccesary to provide separate rooting and growing environments for successful lily crops. If you’re in a very hot climate, you might consider using some shade cloth or placing your lily successions in the shade while they are putting on roots, similar to what they experience in nature as they would develop in the spring in garden plantings.
6. Uses:
LA Lilies: Due to their vibrant colors and versatile nature, LA lilies are popular choices for floral arrangements, including farmer’s market bunches, bouquets and centerpieces. They also make charming additions to garden landscapes. Subtle toned LA lilies can be found in the marketplace and they help us meet the demands of wedding clients looking for softer colors, like pale pink.
OT Lilies: OT lilies are prized for their exquisite beauty and fragrance, making them coveted flowers for special occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, and celebrations. Their larger blooms and captivating scent make them stand out in floral designs. OT lilies have a higher value look to them. They are a bit more elegant in form.
In summary, while LA and OT lilies share similarities as hybrid varieties, they also exhibit distinct differences in appearance, fragrance, bloom time, and growing requirements. Whether you prefer the many hues and softer scent of LA lilies or the captivating fragrance and elegant form of OT lilies, incorporating these stunning flowers into your garden or floral arrangements is sure to add beauty and charm to any setting.
Have a question? Lets us know in the comment area below. We’ll be happy to get back to you soon!
-The Team at Ampersand Bulb Co.