I wonder if the people that basically only Shop the big box stores, if they knew the variety of lilies that are out there? As i know the ones where i live basically have asiatics and some Orientals.

There are lots of "in the know" people who shop big box stores, but in general, they are not shopping for lilies. I work at a big box store, and people who do buy lilies are usually at the stage (as we all once were) where the lilies that they are buying are "the most beautiful things ever". So no, I don't think they realize the lily diversity that is out there (and not that they should). Honestly though, even the most mundane lily can be breathtaking.

My first lily came from a big garden center at a very big shopping center and was just an Asiatic but had not been for the one flower I would not have the lilies I have today
I remember the first time I saw a stargazer and was in awe of the beauty of the flower and also the casa blanca was another one that really blew me away with it beauty
I still have those in my gardens today. The lily was bought by my son and I remember when that Asiatic grew up and opened the first time....amazing flower. I often got star gazers in gifts of flowers from people and had no idea I could plant them.......... all my first lilies came from just the simple garden centers..

but there is lots of diversity out there
and by planting these lilies I have grown interest in others in town to the beauty of the other ones.........
there is a lot of people including my daughter in laws that thought like everyone else............there was only so many types and that was it until NOW..lol

but in the end the first one did it in for me and agree with Rick..........every lily is beautiful in its own way and all very different from each other even of the same variety of lily.......
My Lankons are each so different from each other........

I

I also tend to think there is an instant gratification factor in buying lilies from big box stores. Some folks aren't sure how to grows things and buying a plant potted that is already growing (and well on its way to flowering) means they at least will have it bloom once....and very soon at that.

When I first started with lilies, I had no idea that there even were people who specialized in them. There were a couple greenhouses nearby that offered quite the variety as well. Kept me happy until one day, when I met Dave's Garden and my world of lilies and growers opened up.