Lilium (x) longiflorum Eremo® - Easter Lily

The Lilium longiflorum 'Eremo' is a cross between an Asian lily and L. longiflorum known for its large, bright melon orange flowers that face upwards, very long-lasting and weather-resistant. The plant blooms in summer, for 2 to 4 weeks, on a long sturdy stem. It is a stunning cut flower, larger and more enduring than classic Asian lilies. It has a slight fragrance and its colour does not fade in the sun.

The 'Eremo' Lily is a Dutch horticultural creation by Vletter en den Haan Beheer BV dating back to 2010. It is a bulbous plant with deciduous vegetation from the lily family. It belongs to a group of hybrids derived from Asian species such as Lilium longiflorum. These prized varieties in floristry are known to be somewhat susceptible to viruses and severe frosts. When in full bloom, 'Eremo' will reach between 1.20 m and 1.40 m in height, depending on the bulb size. Its vegetation will spread over time, with bulbs producing numerous bulblets through vegetative propagation. The flowers of ‘Eremo’ are spectacular: well-displayed, they measure between 15 and 20 cm in diameter and boast a uniform intense orange colour. They appear in July and August and are grouped in inflorescences of several flowers per stem. This lily is lightly scented, which can be an advantage indoors. The long glossy leaves, dark green in colour, are narrow and lanceolate, with parallel veins running through them. The vegetation dries in autumn, while the bulb goes into dormancy. The bulbs of lilies are reserve organs with fleshy overlapping scales.

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

In the garden, 'Eremo' will pair well with tall perennial plants (lupins, delphiniums) or with undemanding small bushes like the shrubby potentilla 'Hopley's Orange' and a small rose bush 'Rigo Solero' for example. Winter protection, in the form of a thick mulch, is advisable in very cold regions. Lilies prefer shade at their base, and companion plants will help prevent the stems from bending in the wind. The 'Eremo' lily will capture all attention in a border, in a container, and of course in a large bouquet.