Hi Natalie,

Oriental Lilies are very fragrant, Asiatic hybrids are generally not fragrant (some species, such as Lankongense, have a mild fragrance).

Oriental lilies bloom in mid to late summer (July - August) Asiatics bloom in the spring (shortly after Daffodils and Tulips).

Oriental blooms are in general larger with more recurved petals and more "ruffled" petal edges than Asiatics. Asiatics come in a much wider range of colors than orientals.

Since they bloom at opposite ends of the season neither is "most popular" if you have sufficient garden space for both.

Blooming inbetween are the Longiflorum and Trumpet lilies, as well as the interspecific hybrids, (Longiflorum-Asiatics, Longiflorum-Orientals, and Oriental-Trumpets).

Unfortunately I have very limited sunny garden spots and so limit myself mostly to scented lilies. So I'm stuck looking at a lot of emerging buds throughout the spring while I wait for my summer bloom.

Hope this helps!

-Helen