Lilium Corcovado® - Lily

The Oriental hybrid lily Corcovado® is a variety with single flowers that belongs to the Oriental lilies group. It offers large upward-facing flowers with wide petals and slightly fringed edges, in a apricot colour with a golden hue, darker towards the centre and more yellow towards the edges. The flower's centre is tinged with green. Slightly fragrant, this Oriental lily blooms faithfully in very well-drained, limestone-free soil in a border, in a pot, or even in a large rockery.

The genus Lilium belongs to the Liliaceae family, its representatives are bulbous plants whose deciduous vegetation disappears in winter. In spring, leafy stems emerge from the ground, rising up to form a narrow and very vertical clump. Corcovado is a horticultural hybrid obtained by cross-breeding various species originating from the Far East. This plant reaches approximately 1m to 1.10m in height when in bloom, and the clump spreads indefinitely over time, with bulbs producing bulblets through vegetative multiplication. From late July to early August, appear flower umbels, facing outwards, generously displayed. They are trumpet-shaped with a very wide flare, measuring up to 20cm in diameter, and are very pleasantly fragrant. The stems are sturdy, covered in alternate, dark green, shiny, lanceolate leaves.

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