Lilium (x) longiflorum Barolo - Easter Lily

The Lilium 'Barolo', an Asian lily hybrid and Lilium longiflorum, stands out for its vigour and its orange hue tinged with dark orange that enlivens borders and bouquets. Its long, sturdy stems bear several large, upward-facing, long-lasting flowers. This recent variety is cold-resistant and easy to grow in well-drained soil.

The 'Barolo' Lily is a Dutch horticultural creation selected by the Vletter & Den Haan Beheer BV company in 2021. It is a bulbous plant with deciduous vegetation from the lily family. It belongs to a group of modern hybrids derived from Asian species such as Lilium longiflorum, sometimes referred to as the Easter Lily. These varieties are highly prized in floristry, although they are known to be somewhat sensitive to heavy frosts. When in full bloom, 'Barolo' will reach between 1.20 m and 1.45 m in height. The plant will spread and thicken over time, with bulbs producing numerous bulblets through vegetative propagation. Each floral stem bears 5 to 7 semi-open orange flowers measuring approximately 14 cm in diameter, facing skyward. They exhibit a glossy texture and a medium orange hue washed with reddish-orange towards the petal edges. At the centre of each flower, there are light orange stamens with mahogany anthers. The long, glossy leaves (15 to 20 cm), dark green in colour, are narrow and lanceolate, with parallel veins running through them. The vegetation dries out in autumn, while the bulb enters a dormant state. The bulbs are storage organs with fleshy, overlapping scales. The larger the bulb size, the more vigorous and floriferous the plant will be.

Longiflorum-type hybrid lilies, like 'Barolo', flower after 12 to 13 weeks of cultivation. Their flowering can be brought forward by planting them early in the season, in a veranda or a temperate room. The soil should remain moist throughout their growth and flowering.

Planted in borders, 'Barolo' will look stunning among tall, slender perennials (lupins, Verbascums, delphiniums). Its floral spikes will attract all eyes among small white-flowered shrubs like 'Abbotswood' Potentilla and Weigela 'Picobella Bianco'. Winter protection in the form of a thick mulch is not unnecessary in very cold regions. Lilies appreciate having their feet in the shade, with companion plants helping to prevent stems from bending in the wind. The 'Barolo' lily looks stunning in a large bouquet, with white flowers and lime-green foliage.