Lilium oriental Polar Star - Lily

The  'Polar Star' Oriental Lily is an unusual variety that is both elegant and charming: its flowers are double, white with a hint of green in the centre, and pleasantly fragrant. It blooms quite late, reaching its peak in August-September. Perfect in a white garden, this lily also pairs well with all colours in the garden. Its cut flowers are perfect for special occasions.

The genus Lillium belongs to the lily family, its representatives are bulbous plants whose foliage disappears in winter. In spring, leafy stems emerge from the ground and form a narrow and upright clump. 'Polar Star' is a horticultural hybrid introduced in 2012. Like all lilies in the Oriental group, it was obtained through cross-breeding various species native to the Far East. This plant will reach a minimum height of 70cm (28in) when in bloom, and it will grow taller over the years. The clump will also spread indefinitely over time, with the bulbs producing bulblets through vegetative multiplication. In August, more or less early depending on the climate, umbels of 15cm (6in) in diameter flowers appear, more or less upright or directed outward, beautifully displayed. They lack stamens and are composed of multiple undulate and reflexed petals, often folded like a gutter, which gradually unfold from the outer to the inner part of the corolla. The heart of the corolla and some petals are animated by a green glow. The stems are strong, covered with alternate, dark green, shiny, and lanceolate leaves. 

Oriental lilies are plants that thrive in humus-rich soil, they do not tolerate calcareous, poorly drained, and heavy soils, and they are slightly more difficult to grow than Asian lilies if the conditions are not met. You can associate them with perennial plants as they appreciate having shade at their base. The perennial plants will also help prevent the stems from bending under the weight of the flowers or due to the wind. 'Polar Star' is well-suited for pot cultivation, which can be placed on the terrace, near entrances, or in high-traffic areas to fully enjoy its unusual and fragrant flowering. This lily is also ideal in a low shrub border, and of course in bouquets. For example, you can pair it with compact hydrangeas, Pieris, Chinese azaleas, dwarf rhododendrons in a large non-calcareous soil bed.

Lily pollen is known to stain clothes: this 'Polar Star' variety, without stamens and pollen, does not have this drawback. Therefore, it is a remarkable cut flower in every way.