Could you help me with some of the abbreviations that I see when reading about lilies, like O/T, LA (not the lily auction), etc.
What is a longiflorum? How is a Oriental Trumpet different?

If you could recommend a book I could get that talks about lilies, not just glossy photos (although they are nice to look at) I would appreciate that too.

I told you I was a newbie.

Thanks for your patience and help.
Julia

All of the abbreviations are short for lilies that are interdivisional hybrids. So OT or O/T are short for a cross between an Oriental lily and a trumpet lily. Another term that we toss about for this particular cross is "Orienpet", taking a part of each word from the parents (Oriental and trumpet).

LA is short for the cross between a longiflorum lily and an Asiatic lily. LO is short for a cross between a longiflorum lily and an Oriental lily.

Lilium longiflorum itself is best known as our Easter lily, you know, those lilies with the long white trumpet form that is sold around Easter time.

I know this is all probably somewhat confusing but keep asking questions! I have several books on lilies; one that I like was written by Edward Austin McRae, "Lilies: A Guide for Growers and Collectors". It is out of print now but you can look around for it on ebay or Amazon etc.

A couple of websites that might interest you:

North American Lily Society (aka NALS):

http://www.lilies.org/

The Genus Lilium:

http://www.the-genus-lilium.co...

B&D Lily company has quite a bit of information if you browse around a bit (they refer to LA lilies as "scented Asiatics); two sites:

http://www.bdlilies.com/lilybu...
http://lilybulb.com/f2011.html

Hopes this helps a bit getting you started!

Dont worry Julia. everybody has to start somewhere-stick with us-you sound very keen

Hope you don't mind, pard, I'll post a direct link because I find the new NALS site a little difficult to navigate.
Julia, here is a good place to start http://www.lilies.org/04c_type... Otherwise, when going to the 'home' page, click on the "Culture" tab, when on the next page you'll see a blue bar across the top with all kinds of informational pages.

Don't be worried about asking quetions, we all had to start somewhere and you won't find a friendlier bunch than the gang here.

That site is indeed a bit to navigate. I don't think I have looked at that page. Everyone feel free to add to the comments here .

The 48 page hand book: 'Lets Grow Lilies', an illustrated handbook by the NALS has an excellant glossary of terms, etc. I just go to: www.lilies.org and it takes you directly to the main. Then click on 'store', then click 'other publications' hi-lited in the second paragraph and you'll see it pictured and just go from there. I see its $9.95 now for the 2011 version which I don't have yet but I assume its updated version of the 2003-- which I thought was very, very well done for beginners. Its included (free) to new members with a $20.00 annual membership which includes also a hardbound copy of the NALS annual and 4 quarterlies--and many other side benefits along the way. Its well worth it! You don't have to be a 'lily pro' to join--I wasn't!

I appreciate the help. Now I'll understand the lingo a bit more. Rather than just plant, I'll think a bit more about what I am planting
I'll stick with you all. What a great group