Lilium Mistero

The  'Mistero' lily belongs to the oriental group of lilies. It produces large, trumpet-shaped flowers with recurved and wavy petals, in a lovely light, soft pink with a chartreuse heart. The petals are slightly speckled with orange towards the centre and the anthers are brown. This radiant and elegant variety, with a sweet fragrance, blooms in August and lasts in very well-drained and limestone-free soil in a flower bed, in a pot or even in a large rock garden.

The Lillium genus belongs to the Liliaceae family, its representatives are bulbous plants whose deciduous vegetation disappears in winter. In spring, leafy stems emerge from the ground and form a narrow, vertical clump. 'Mistero' is a horticultural hybrid obtained by cross-breeding various species native to the Far East. This plant reaches about 1m to 1.20m high when in bloom, and the clump spreads indefinitely over time, with the bulbs producing bulblets through vegetative multiplication. In August, umbels of flowers appear, facing outwards and well presented. They are trumpet-shaped and very wide, measuring up to 25cm in diameter, and are very pleasantly scented. These imposing corollas are a light pink colour with a satin sheen and have a chartreuse centre. The stamens bear brown pollen when ripe, completing the harmony of colours. The sturdy stems are covered with alternate, dark green, shiny, lance-shaped leaves.

Oriental lilies are a bit more difficult to grow than Asian lilies if the conditions are not met. They need well-drained soil, rich in humus. Any soil that retains winter moisture is harmful to the bulbs. They do not like limestone soils, and the colours are more intense in acidic soil. Partial shade, especially in the afternoon, helps prolong the duration and preserve the brightness of the flowers. For a harmonious flower bed, combine the 'Mistero' Lily with lilies in shades of pink, white, orange, gladioli, or daylilies. Incorporating grasses and perennial plants around the lilies is beneficial for shading the soil and stabilising the stems against wind and rain. It can also be grown on the edge of a grove, surrounded by small bushes such as rhododendrons or azaleas. This lily is also perfect for creating beautiful bouquets.