Lilium Carbonero® - Lily

The Oriental Lily 'Carbonero' is a single-flowered variety that belongs to the group of oriental lilies. Its satin flowers, with undulate petals overlapping widely, are of a red hue leaning towards dark pink. They exhale a strong and rich fragrance. The flower's centre is lime green. Robust, this oriental lily blooms faithfully in very well-drained, lime-free soil in a border, in a pot, or even in a large rockery.

The genus Lilium belongs to the lily family, its representatives are bulbous plants whose deciduous vegetation disappears in winter. In spring, leafy stems emerge from the ground, rising and forming a narrow and very vertical tuft. 'Carbonero' is a horticultural hybrid obtained by cross-breeding various species originating from the Far East. This plant reaches approximately 1.10 m to 1.20 m in height when in flower, and the tuft spreads without theoretical limit over time, with bulbs producing bulblets through vegetative multiplication. At the end of July, beginning of August, umbels of flowers appear, directed outwards, generously displayed. They are trumpet-shaped, very wide, measuring up to 20 cm in diameter, and are very pleasantly fragrant. The stems are strong, covered with alternate, dark green, shiny, lanceolate leaves.

Oriental lilies require specific conditions to thrive, slightly more demanding than those of Asian lilies. They appreciate humus-rich, well-drained, non-limey soil, as excess moisture in winter can harm the bulbs. In acidic soil, their colours intensify. Partial shade, especially in the afternoon, helps prolong flowering and preserve the brightness of the flowers. For an elegant border, the Lilium 'Carbonero' pairs well with pink, red, or white lilies, gladioli or daylilies. Grasses and perennials around the lily help shade the soil and stabilize the stems against bad weather. Oriental lilies also thrive at the edge of a woodland, surrounded by small bushes like rhododendrons or azaleas, and are perfect for creating beautiful bouquets.