Lilium (x) longiflorum Calabria - Easter Lily

The Lilium 'Calabria', a Longiflorum-Asiatic (LA) hybrid lily, is a recent variety distinguished by its intense reddish-purple colour with brown highlights and its impressive flowers, facing upwards. This lily truly catches all eyes, and its elegance shines both in borders and vases. The plant blooms at the end of June, on a long, sturdy stem adorned with beautiful glossy dark green foliage. This variety is disease-resistant and tolerates cold well, in well-drained soil.

The 'Calabria' lily belongs to the lily family, resulting from a cross between Longiflorum and Asiatic lilies: it is an LA hybrid. LA hybrids combine the strength and resistance of Asiatic lilies with the elongated shape and light fragrance of Longiflorums. Depending on the bulb size, this cultivar reaches a height of 1.10 m to 1.35 m. It develops an upright, elegant vegetation. Its flowers, with a diameter of 15 to 20 cm, display a sumptuous deep red-violet colour, with subtle reddish-brown tones towards the base, adding depth to each petal. A colour enhanced by the glossy texture of the broad petals. The flowering is early and usually occurs from the month of June onwards, depending on the climate. The 'Calabria' flowers are slightly fragrant. They open in a cup shape, each formed of smooth petals, sometimes slightly undulating. The glossy dark green foliage, composed of lanceolate leaves measuring 20 to 25 cm, pleasantly contrasts with the flower hues. The sturdy, purple-coloured stems bear several umbels of 3 to 4 flowers. This cultivar is also known for its disease resistance, particularly against leaf scorch. The vegetation dries in autumn, while the bulb enters dormancy. Bulbs are storage organs with fleshy, overlapping scales.

The Lily 'Calabria' is interesting for structuring a border or creating large colourful borders. It can also be cultivated in a pot to adorn the terrace or balcony. Its impressive flowers with intense colours pair well with grasses like Pennisetum x advena 'Rubrum', perennials like purple heucheras 'Forever Purple', purple asters (Aster amellus 'Sonora'), and silvery lavenders such as 'Richard Gray'. This lily holds up well in a vase where it charms with its classic elegance. Winter protection, in the form of a thick mulch, is not unnecessary in very cold regions.

Longiflorum hybrid lilies like 'Calabria' bloom after 12 or 13 weeks of cultivation, they can be "forced" by planting them early in the season in a conservatory or a warm room. The soil they are planted in should remain moist throughout the growth and flowering period.